The Vatican, even though a sovereign entity, for the sake of ease, for the time being has been consolidated with Rome in our photo album.

Rome, 07/2004

Our first evening, having tackled the Rome traffic and having returned the car, was a pleasent stroll in the city. It included the famous Piazza di Spagna.

Rome, 07/2004

A glimpse of the dome of St. Peter - or as a tourist walking by us said St. Petersburg....

Rome, 07/2004

A very typical Roman sight - A cross and Vespas.

Rome, 07/2004

Trevi Fountain - Neptrune ruling the waters

Rome, 07/2004

Temple of Hadrian. Today it houses the Stock Exchange - La Borsa.

Rome, 07/2004

The Pantheon. The temple built for Roman gods by Marcus Agrippa in 27 B.C. later was converted to a church [609 A.D.]and consecrated as Santa Maria dei Martiri.

Rome, 07/2004

The Pantheon has a diameter of 43.3m. and was the largest standing dome for a long time.

Rome, 07/2004

Piazza della Rotonda is the piazza acroos from the entrance of the Pantheon

Rome, 07/2004

Pria preparing to replenish our energy level

Rome, 07/2004

Sant'Andrea della Valle - built in 1665 is off Piazza Navona. It's claim to fame apart from the grandiose façade is that it was the setting to Puccini's Tosca [1st Act]

Rome, 07/2004

The typewriter in Piazza Venezia!

Rome, 07/2004

Il Vittoriano. Built to glorify Victor Emmanuel II the first King of a unified Italy.

Rome, 07/2004

Rome, 07/2004

The Forum - Temple of Vespasian

Rome, 07/2004

Temple of Saturn

Rome, 07/2004

Temple of Vesta

Rome, 07/2004

Arch of Titus reconstructed in 19th century

Rome, 07/2004

Temple of Antoninus and Faustina. It is believed San Lorenzo was put to death here and is now a church in his name..

Rome, 07/2004

On our way to the Colosseum

Rome, 07/2004

Colosseum

Rome, 07/2004

The flora of the Colosseum

Rome, 07/2004

Rome, 07/2004

Rome, 07/2004

Rome, 07/2004

Santa Maria in Trastevere, is believed to be the first Christian church built in Rome.

Rome, 07/2004

Detail of the mosaics on the façade going back to 12th century.

Rome, 07/2004

Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere

Rome, 07/2004

Children playing football/soccer oblivious to those invaluable buildings surrounding them.

Rome, 07/2004

and it goes on - I had to be content having spent almost a week and yet

Rome, 07/2004

barely scratched the surface of this unbelievable city.

Vatican, 07/2004

We started the day by visiting the Vatican museum.

Vatican, 07/2004

The abundance of artwork is evident in every corner one turns.

Vatican, 07/2004

Pria's favorite ceiling

Vatican, 07/2004

Piazza San Pietro by Bernini

Vatican, 07/2004

St. Peter's, the center of the Roman Catholic faith, is even more impressive in life.

Vatican, 07/2004

The infamous Swiss guards.

Vatican, 07/2004

Vatican, 07/2004

Vatican, 07/2004

The quintessential nuns

Vatican, 07/2004

We took the elevator and then hiked many steps to reach the dome.

Vatican, 07/2004

The Piazza from the base of the Dome.

Vatican, 07/2004

The main dome is flanked by two minor cupolas. The dome was designed my Michelangelo but not completed in his lifetime.

Vatican, 07/2004

Jesus and the apostles above the entrance to the Basilica. Judah has been removed and replaced by John the Baptist.

Vatican, 07/2004

The end of a long day, once again Pria contemplating. Thank you tsakoog for making this trip unforgettable for me. Your perfect Italian did help a lot!