Trevi Fountain

Our first day in Rome we arrived late in the afternoon. We decided to take in a couple of the big tourist traps, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. We had seen these previously, so I only took my point-n-click camera to do some people watching. Even in low tourist season, they were crowded.

Getting the right angle is everything. That's Carol behind him.

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Legend is that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. Everyone gets their picture taken doing it, by their friends and by me!

The couple on the left is getting ready to toss their coins; love their contrasting pant/shirt outfits. The guy in the middle is in mid-toss.

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This couple was good looking. They have old-school European class. I guessing they're Nordic. That was the story I concocted in my head, anyway. I wonder if they realized I was taking their picture.

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Oceanus from below.

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The girls eating gelato in the crowd at the Trevi Fountain. As you might imagine, Carol and I also ate gelato sitting at the Trevi Fountain.

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The crowds at the Trevi Fountain.

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More crowds at the Trevi Fountain.

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More detail of the Fountain. If you look at the people in the background, that's where Carol and I ate gelato.

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Roman Forum - Wrapup

Here are some other pictures from the area of the Roman Forum.

The Temple of Vesta (number 9 on the interactive map.

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In the foreground, the Column of Phocas. In the background, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, Temple of Castor and Pollux, Temple of Vesta, way in the back ground the Coliseum, and a bunch of other old stuff.

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From the top of the Palatine Hill.

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These are at the base of the Palatine Hill. We both seem to recall that they were housing for gladiators.

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Roman Forum - Temple of Saturn

The Temple of Saturn is a monument to the agricultural deity Saturn . It represents the oldest surviving structure in that area, having been established between 501 and 498 BC.

The back-lighted temple.

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Pseudo-HDR of the temple

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Roman Forum - Flora and Fauna

Here are some pictures of the flora and fauna seen in and around the Roman Forum.

Italian Stone Pine tree in the ruins of the Palatine.

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Looking up at the Italian Stone Pine trees.

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Roman lizard

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Roman Tourists. I think she was supposed to be leaning on a large column.

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Roman Forum - More views of the Coliseum

Two more looks at the Coliseum.

This one is from the top of Palatine Hill. That's the Arch of Titus (81 AD - number 1 on the interactive map) in the center.

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This one is from the Roman Forum.

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Roman Forum - Palatine Hill

Rome began on the Palatine Hill. The Palatine Hill is the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome and is one of the most ancient parts of the city. It stands 40 metres above the Roman Forum, looking down upon it on one side, and upon the Circus Maximus on the other. You can see it's relationship to the Coliseum and the Forum on this interactive map.

According to Roman mythology, the Palatine Hill was the location of the cave, known as the Lupercal, where Romulus and Remus were found by the she-wolf that kept them alive.

Roman Ruins on Palatine Hill. Carol is hiding somewhere in this picture; can you find her?

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Roman Forum - Temple of Castor and Pollux

The temple of Castor and Pollux was originally built in gratitude for victory at the battle of Lake Regillus (495 BC). Castor and Pollux (Greek Polydeuces) were the Dioscuri, the "twins" of Gemini, the twin sons of Zeus (Jupiter) and Leda. The facade faced toward the Forum piazza with 19 columns (only 3 remain) surmounted on a trabeation.

It is in the Roman Forum - number 10 on this interactive map.

The Temple of Castor and Pollux.

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Backlit Temple of Castor and Pollux.

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Temple of Castor and Pollux and the Arch of Septimius Severus (number 16 on the interactive map) as seen from the Palatine Hill (PALATINO on the interactive map).

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