We got up early, and decided to try and follow Tony's Map he kindly drew for us for a circular route from the Colosseum.
Well that didn't quite work out, we lost the map. After much search by Ryan, which means we didn't leave quite so early, we went for it anyway, I'm pretty sure Rome is a follow-the-crowds kind of place.
Our first bus arrives, on time, and didn't charge us - A bit strange? We asked for tickets and were waved on. We noticed nobody else had tickets either (that we saw) and just got on and off...
Surely a secret system somewhere?
The Colosseum being right outside the tube station is SO handy!
We ignored a few of the tour sellers being pretty determined, and then did a 180 and agreed to a tour! (Suckers! Ha.)
In fact it was really really good. We did learn a lot, and it was pretty interesting. The whole idea of how sophisticated everything was is a little mind blowing. There is knowing, then there is seeing :)
Colosseum photos - just because we need to see it from EVERY angle.
The tour guide gathering the troops (Guy on the left)
Obligatory selfies!
The underground part was built ten years after it was opened. They had to close for a year to do it, and it made the theatre amazing. - so says the guide.
Apparently there were no 'feeding people to the lions', but rather in the morning, Hunting games, for people to see wild animals, how the behave and react .. by attacking each other. And also show off the skill of hunters. Then at Noon the beheading session began for severe crimes and deserters. Then the gladiator games in the afternoon.
They have re-contructed some of the old seats, and you can really picture the whole place in marble (apparently - ha trusting the guides say-so again on all of this, but it left us with a good impression!)
Final photos - I can't bear to not put them in!
Sooo we didn't stop there!
Time for part two of our tour :)
The Forum and Palatino Hill.
It is a little crazy to think how extravagant each successive generation became. A bit like us I guess! I WILL travel and earn money - Yep.
So the indoor hippodrome was cool - apparently smaller as it was built for running instead.
So apparently they all wanted to build here (they being the most affluent leaders of Rome) because Palatino hill is the supposed location of the cave where Romulus and Remus were kept alive by the she-wolf Lupa until a shepherd found them. Then it gets a bit gory, as Romulus killed his twin brother Remus and founded Rome. Romulus - Rome - I get it.
Some Marble is uncovered on the floor - I was pretty surprised they let us trample all over it. Unless it is there for effect?
Around the corner, we got a view of the forum, (ye olde market place) surrounded by some of the most important buildings in Rome. Ok I am not sure what they all are, except that first one with the green door!
It told me, it is the temple of Romulus. I know this because the guide told me, as well as the sign on the door! It's intact because it was turned into the entrance to the Church of Saints Cosma and Damiano behind it. (still in use today apparently! Your would never guess, but the green door is the original, made of bronze. Instead of Romulus as I thought, it was dedicated to the son of emperor Maxentius who died young.
Admittedly, I don;t who that is either - ill get reading!
And so concluded our tour for the day!
Homeward bound to catch the sunset!
Much Love
x
