Day 6, Tuesday, June 14. 2011

Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy was our next stop. From where the ship was docked it was a 90 minute drive to Vatican, City. The city, it says, is enclosed with a brick wall but when we exited Vatican City we entered onto a street from St. Peter's square. So I don't think the whole city is enclosed. Some facts about the city are, 800 people live permanently in Vatican City with more than 2000 coming to work in the city every day. There is no graffiti on the city wall but there was lots of graffiti other places in Rome. The Vatican is the world's smallest state. The Vatican even fields a soccer team composed of the Swiss Guards who hold dual citizenship.

This picture was the exit from the Vatican Museum. We exited a different way coming out in St. Peter's Square.

Dome of the Basilica.

This is looking at the Basilica from St. Peters Square.

St. Peters Square

The Colosseum, or the Coliseum, was originally the Flavian Amphitheatre. We were unable to go inside but were amazed at how large this structure was. Had no idea that it could seat 50,000 spectators.

Statues at the Piazza Venezia

The Pantheon is an ancient temple that was later converted into a church. It is still used as a church though that seems difficult because of all the tourists that enter it each day. The building is circular with huge granite columns at the entrance. The Pantheon's dome is the largest unreinforced concrete dome. In the center of the dome is an opening which is the only source of light for the interior.

My picture does not do the inside of the dome justice, it was incredible.

Tinita dei Monti

Piazza Di Trevi

Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi
Do you recognize it from Angels and Demons?

Our friend for the night