The Infamous Colosseum

Remember the gladiator films where they meet in mortal combats and condemned prisoners fight with hungry lions and other monstrous animals? Well.... This is the very setting.

Gladiator fights originated in Rome. It started as a ritual in honor for the death of a Ceasar. Until, the ceremonies got so popular that it became a game for them, specially for the Emperors who wanted to display their power. On a fight, he had the power to save or slay the life of the loosing player.

Romans loved to witness these bloody form of entertainment in the Colosseum which can accomodate over 45,000-50,000 spectators. This is where they watched gladiators fight with each other, also fights between animals, and even fights between man and animals.

When a Christian refuses to bow to the empereror nor worship their gods, he would be charged guilty of treason and be thrown into combat with animals. When one member of a family was accused, the whole family would be thrown - including little children.

In contrast to other Roman ampitheaters which were located in the city's outskirts, this was located in the city center. Thus, placing it literally and symbolically in the heart of Rome.

It used to be a perfect arena, but over time it deteriorated sue to earth quakes, revolts, and other factors. Now, only tw0-thirds of it is left. But still it gives

With dusk hugging the surroundings and the full moon lighting over it, it gives me an eerie feeling - taking me back in time where over 5,000 wild animals and 11,000 Jews, Christians, slaves, and gladiators lost their lives. This place used to be filled with blood, sweat, and jeers.

Today, it is not being used as a stadium for these brutal games anymore. Whew! That's a good news. Now it stands more of a tourist attraction ... and a home for a large community modern Roman stray cats.

Capella Sistina

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Commonly known in English as the Sistine Chapel. It is one of the many chapels in Vatican. It is famed for the artiinterior, showcasing the artworks of premier painters like Botticelli, Rossellini and Perugino.

But of all the fine artworks inside the chapel, nothing beats the majestic work of Michaelangelo. Among his materpieces what really took my breath away were the ceilings. Only a genius like him could create something as beautiful and artistic like he did. Considering it is a ceiling! And not a flat one but a ceiling with countours. And despite the irregularities of the form, the picture is still perfect and coherent. Not one disfigured object.

It is truly a work that can only be made by a true genius. Although it was said that Michaelangelo initially declined the commission to paint the chapel because he saw himself more as a sculptor than a painter. Well, good thing he continued it. Or he could have not unlocked his potential within. :)

The line going to the chapel is soooo long. I guess it took us about two hours just lining up to get inside. See the line? It still curves to the right at the end of the block.

This and many sights inside the Vatican takes already a day for sight seeing.

St. Peter's Square

Enclaved within the city of Rome is the Vatican City. And within the world's smallest independent state, you see the St. Peter's Square - situated in front of the St. Peter's Basilica.

It is just a wide open space surrounded with quadruple colonnades, forming an elliptical path. On top of each column is a saint or a martyr (as you can see in the photo). This work of art is created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. And indeed he is a genius in terms of archtectural design and symmetry. In fact, if you stand at a certain demarcated point of the square, it gives you an optical illusion turning the quadruple colonnades into a single layer. Brilliant, isn't it?

In the middle of the square you see the infamous obelisk, which is said to have originated from Egypt. I am not sure why it is there nor what's the meaning behind this Egyptian monument erected at the heart of the Roman Catholic seat. So let's leave it at that...

Anyway, aside from these collosal monuments, the swarm of people coming from all shapes, sizes, color, language, and culture forms a sight to behold. Devout followers of the catholic faith and even unbelievers coming from different parts of world converge here for one reason or the other - either for pilgrimmage or for mere sight seeing. ... Man hunting?... Hmmmm, I don't know? As for me, I haven't met him there.. Hahahaha. JokE! So here's me adding the the color and variety of nosy people, curious of having a taste of what's it like to be in St. Peter's Square.

From the quiet and peaceful town, we now move to the quirky and loud city of Rome.

Right from stepping out of the airport, one can already conclude that despite all the chaos you see, this is a fun and lively city.

It, being a tourist destination, locals are very friendly, entertaining and garrulous. Although ost of them still cannot speak english fluently, the language difference is not a barrier. They are willing to entertain through signs and signals. And they do it with feelings in a cute theatrical way!

Rome is the capital of Italy. It is a captivating city providing scenic view of ancient architecture. Each building, each block somehow tells a beauty of their culture and history. In the center of Rome you see opulent ancient villas.

Rome's city center is dominated with over a hundred hotels, plus another over a hundred penioni. Price range are so varried catering to all kinds of tourist, shapes, sizes and wallets - a feature fitting enough for one of the world's most visited cities in the world.