Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain and Pantheon

 

The Roman Forum.  Of all the sites in Rome, this was the one Bryon was most looking forward to.  The forum was the center of ancient Rome's public life.  It was also where the government buildings were located.  Our guide had a picture of what it would have looked like back then which really brought the random assortment of stones to life.  

It was interesting seeing all the ancient ruins amongst the current modern buildings.  You can walk down most streets in Rome and happen upon an ancient ruin.  We were very impressed with how well Rome has maintained it's ruins and how they have been assimilated into the city that has developed around it.

Another shot of the Roman Forum.  Most of the forum is worn down like this.  There is one building that is well kept so we asked the guide why that building is in such better condition than everything else.  She said the buildings that have been well preserved (that building, the Pantheon) have been taken over by the church and the church has maintained them through the years.  Too bad the church didn't take over all of it!  We might have an intact Forum today!

 

 Beautiful shot that Bryon took of the sun creating shadows over the forum. 

 It's crazy thinking how old these things are.  Knowing the forum was the center of activity back then, it was really neat imagining people walking through this arch chatting about their afternoon, complaining of a backache from the day's work, talking about the latest fashion that such and such was wearing.  Who would have guessed it would still be standing with people walking through it's archway today.

Bryon pushing over the stones in the Forum.  My macho man :)

  Me at the Trevi Fountain.  The Trevi Fountain is one of the most well known fountains in the world.  Legend says, your supposed to throw a penny over your shoulder to ensure that you will return to Rome.  If you throw two pennies, you will return to Rome and find love there.  So, we just threw one :)

 

Ice cream outside of the Trevi Fountain.. 

Bryon in front of the Pantheon.  This was by far the most fantastic building we saw.  To think it has been preserved this incredibly over all these years!  Inside the Pantheon is also the tomb of the famous painter, Raphael.  One neat thing I learned is there is an oculus (open hole) in the roof of the Pantheon, so when it rains, water comes into the building and exits through a draining system they had to build.