Touring the sights (or is that sites?)

We climbed the Spanish Steps, as did many others.

We visited everyone's favourite fountain. I forgot to make a wish - but then
I never threw in a coin . . .

Taking the tour around the Colosseum.

More beauty on the Palatine Hill, adjacent to the Roman Forum.

We strolled through the extensive ruins on the Palatine Hill.

Marilena takes a snapshot at the Roman Forum.

Vatican Museums

Sunday, early morning beside the Vatican Museum

After settling into the campsite (i.e. having used the swimming pool multiple times) we turned our attention to a visit to the city. Whilst researching on the web I struck lucky - the following day (last Sunday of the month) the Vatican museums were free. We resolved to set off early so that we would be at the front of the queue before they opened the doors. Well, how wrong can one be? When we arrived, half of Rome's inhabitants and most of its tourists appeared to have turned up with the same idea! The queue when we joined it was about 800m long. Happily, it moved quite quickly and after 45 minutes we were walking through the entrance doors.

Walking along the museum corridors; some were
over 200m long!

It's impossible here to do justice to the extraordinary paintings, frescoes, statuary, tapestries and other marvellous objects on display. The buildings, rooms and corridors themselves were fabulous and we could only gape as we strolled through this amazing display of human ingenuity and craftsmanship. We spent the whole morning here and loved every minute of it. Amazing.

Marilena takes a peak at the pope's garden
from one of the windows of the museum.

Descending into the underworld

San Callisto Catacomb

When I was a young lad I'd hear stories from my teachers about how persecuted Christians in Roman times would meet underground for the mass and bury their dead in what have become known as the catacombs. I was therefore keen to see them for myself. So, Marilena and I travelled to south Rome to visit the Catacombs of St Callisto. It turned out to be a remarkable experience, not least because our guide - a Marist priest and probably a retired teacher, judging by his pedagogic style - provided us with a wonderful insight into what went on 2000 years ago in that place.

Looking down one of the many passageways

Given that the Roman persecution of Christians endured on and off for around 300 years, it's not entirely surprising  that there are 20 km of passages in these catacombs and the remains of around half a million people. I'd expected to see lots of bones and skulls as one does in ancient remains but we were told that corpses were covered with lime once placed in their burial spaces and so happily no bones were in evidence during our tour! 

This is the popes' chapel; around eight of the first popes were buried here.
Being a pope in Roman times was often a short career indeed;
several were martyred after only a few weeks or months in the role.

From honey-coloured stone to the dark greys of Viterbo

A recognisably Italian palace!

Leaving Umbria behind we set off finally for Rome. On the way we stopped off at Viterbo, another historic city with strong Etruscan associations. The historic buildings were more scattered across the city, unlike the Umbrian and Tuscan hilltop towns.

The medieval quarter

They were filming a TV series about the Medici in the medieval centre and Marilena was taken with some of the actors so she went up to chat with them. On our way out we caught a small pizza each (delicious) and a patisserie for dessert. Yeah!

Marilena snaps some TV actors in the main square.

Arriving in Rome

Exploring Rome - at arm's length.

At last we arrive in Rome where we plan to stay a week. After having read the reviews online we have selected a camp site that we hope will be reasonably comfortable. Our experience of city sites is not terribly favourable to date, so we are cautious in our expectations. However, our fears were not realised - quite the reverse in fact. It proves to be a very clean well-run site with astonishing toilet facilities and a gorgeous swimming pool. Marilena is in heaven.

The rail service to Rome was excellent - and the trains were most artistic.

The Carrefour supermarket is five minutes walk away - and the rail station to Rome centre a further three  or four minutes. Wow! We couldn't have chosen better.