Rome

All photographs are from 2007

The Colloseum a glorious but troubling monument to Roman imperial power and cruelty

However bad its past may be it is still a hugely impressive sight to see

The Arena with its maze of tunnels

Archways and tunnels

It is in pretty good condition considering its age

The Arch of Constantine and The Roman Forum

An old market at the Roman Forum and a view from the Colloseum looking over The Forum

The Roman Forum Temple Columns and scattered ruins

The Forum was the political and religious centre in ancient Rome

The Piazza Venezia monument. The flame in its center marks the tomb of Italy's unknown soldier. Mussolini would make his speaches to the people of Rome from here. The Romans know it locally as The Wedding Cake or The Typewriter

The Pantheon dating from around 125 AD is one of Rome's finest treasures, and is probably the best preserved building from ancient Rome. Amazingly the roof of the Pantheon is original and the domed ceiling ( larger than St Peter's ) is a incredible sight to see. The inscription reads M·AGRIPPA·L·F COS TERTIUM·FECIT, "Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, consul for the third time, built this" in fact Agrippa built the original Pantheon which was destroyed by fire in AD 80, before Emperor Hadrian had this Pantheon completely rebuilt

The Domed Ceiling

The fountain topped by an ancient Egyptian obelisk and the huge Pantheon door

Some of the fine buildings scattered around Rome

Fountains and Statues are plentiful in Rome

A photo taken from my hotel window, so many of the streets look like this

Domed Church

An Elephant Obelisk

The Spanish Steps with the French church of Trinita Dei Monti built in 1495. A view across Rome from the Spanish Steps

One of the many Horse and Cart taxis that hang around the Steps

The wonderful Barcaccia Fountain at the foot of the Spanish Steps and the Trinita Dei Monti church

The Stunning Trevi Fountain with Neptune and his Sea Horses as the centerpiece. I spent a bit of time admiring this fine fountain, its figures appear to be climbing out of its base

It really is magnificent. I tossed my coin into its waters so I am expecting to return to Rome

St. Peter's Basilica, Vativan City

A View of Rome and down to the river Tiber taken from the Dome of St. Peter's Basilica, Vativan City. We had to climb the 320 steps to reach the top, believe me it is far more than 320 and the last few are so narrow with a rope to pull yourself up. At one point you walk through a door to find you are part of Michaelangelo's ceiling, lookind down the people are like ants. Once at the top the trip is all worth while as you see the brilliant views across Rome

The Obelisk brought from Egypt in the center of St Peter's Square and the Statues on top of the Basilica. These statues must be 30 feet tall at least and I had to lean over a rail on the roof to get this photo