Mama-Mia! Roma, Italy-ia!

ROME, ITALY!
We were able to travel to Rome for fall break. Last spring I found rock bottom airline tickets to Rome, so I booked them months ago. Gram-Gram and Grandpa heard we were going, called us the next day and said, "We booked our tickets! We are coming with you!!" It was such a fun time visiting this historical city. 
(I must mention, the architecture is SO intense everywhere you look, it's hard to not take pictures of everything! It all looks so unbelievable and so much history to boot!)

First stop...VATICAN CITY

The Sphere within a Sphere by Arnaldo Pomodoro

This sits in the center of the Vatican and that because of its round shape, it echoes the form of Earth. It isn't absolutely clear what the artist's intentions are with this piece, but it gives the impression that it is reflecting the "complexity of our world and how easily it can be torn apart."

We took a walking tour of the museum

The ceilings were absolutely intense with intricate design and detail. You had to be careful where you were walking, not to run into someone, because you spent most of your time looking up!

Laocoön and his sons - one of the pieces that inspired Michelangelo at a young age

The Resurrection of Jesus Tapestry

It is famous as a "moving perspective" - The Savior figure seems to follow you as you walk past.

The ceilings are extraordinary 

Michelangelo's painting "School of Athens" 

He painted himself in the front - the man sitting on the stairs on the left with his elbow propped on the box.

St. Peter's Square

So fun to be with grandparents xx

Michelangelo's Pieta 1498-1500

in St. Peter's Basilica

This piece, for me, was only fully appreciated when seeing it in person. It absolutely takes your breath away. 

551steps to the top of St. Peter's Basilica. Stunning views!

St. Peter's Square, Vatican City - designed and built by Bernini 1656-1657

The St. Peter's Baldachin (Bernini) alter in the basilica...OH MY GOODNESS! It's enormous. It is SEVEN stories high. What's even crazier is that it needed to be that high in order to "fit" the magnificent space it was placed in. 

A Swiss Guard outside the Basilica

We were asked NOT to take any pictures in the Sistine Chapel of Michelangelo's work but it was incredible. 

Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, which took approximately four years to complete (1508–1512)

Italian Gelato

This is why the kids came

Piazza Navona 

Pantheon

Completed under Hadrian in 126AD

Pantheon's dome is the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome.

There is an actual hole in the ceiling for natural light. 

Josh immitating the opera singer (below). The performer was incredibly talented 

and had crowds all standing around him cheering. The boys were quite impressed.

In front of the Pantheon

Fountain of the four Rivers with Egyptian Obelisk 

Ike made a great new friend at church in Rome. Darius immediately welcomed Ike when we arrived. 

I love this picture...

Inside the Santa Maria Maggiore

So Ike wanted to go into this cathedral..

I don't know what the name of it is, but it was very beautiful.

Street walking, wowzers! Even the streets are beautiful in Rome! 

Ike is getting strong, he does his push-ups and sit-ups every day..

but Grandpa's still got it AND the technique! haha
I'll let you guess who won...
* I have to say, I'm so sad I didn't get a picture of Guido, our B&B owner. He was the loveliest
 Italian man who went above and beyond the call of duty. He gave us insights and tips of 
where to go and where to eat. His B&B is called Roma Borgo91. The location is VERY near the Vatican and is in an excellent location for visiting the entire city.

More gelato...

Josh wanted to light a candle for Papa

We had to try this gelato shoppe too! 

Colosseum!

Colosseum Tour!

SO, if you book a tour of the colosseum, (and I recommend doing so, be sure to book tickets to go UNDER the stage and up on the third floor (the highest one still intact). Absolutely incredible and the kids all LOVED it. 

Standing on the stadium floor where the gladiators and animals fought. 

Honestly it's a bit tragic really, such a gory sport...

This trap door has been rebuilt to show how the animals entered the arena from their cages down below.

Where the nobles and wealthy people sat. They had engravings on the stones.

Entry way for the gladiators.

Water ducts under the stadium 

The lift re-built for animals to be put into and transported up to the arena.

Climbing up to the third level

Overlooking the Roman Forum 

The main square where all business, government and political events took place.

I believe these are the remains of the temple of Caesar

Arch of Constantine dedicated in 315 AD

to commemorate Constantine I's victory over Maxentius in 312.

Overlooking the Colosseum from the top WOW!

This picture wasn't even prompted! 

I think the other kids saw Ike with Grandma, and all just joined in

Arch of Titus

to commemorate the victories of Titus, including the siege over Jerusalem in 70AD

Palatine Hill

This building is named " Vitoriano " or " the wedding cake ". 

Italians apparently don't like this monument and building because of it's architecture but I think it's really neat.

Inside San Pietro in Vincoli (Saint Peter in Chains)

Michelangelo's Moses - once again...breathtaking and astonishing craftsmanship as he was able to carve 

this work from one piece of stone. He was a genius without a doubt.

So in a matter of three days, my children were able to see three of Michelangelo's iconic pieces...Sistine Chapel, Pietà, and Moses. 

They've been able to see the Madonna in Brugge. (I'd love to take them to see the David in Florence. :))

Sitting outside Vatican City enjoying the weather, history and sites..

**Just incase you thought we forgot, the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain were closed. :(

BIKE TOUR!

City of Rome, Appian Way and Roman Aqueducts 

K, LOL! Biking in Rome is CRAZY! If it weren't for our two tour guides we would be road-kill right now. People drive fast, weaving around you and honk and honk and HONK! It was hilarious. But our kids are bike warriors.
I HIGHLY recommend a bike tour with Stephano!

Check out Ty's smile!

Circus of Maxentius

The complex consists of the villa proper, the 10,000-spectator chariot race track (with great views of the surrounding countryside), and the tomb of Constantine's beloved son Romulus.

Romulus's Tomb

Josh found a fossil

The racecourse - It's hard to tell from this picture, but it is MASSIVE

Roman baths

We were able to climb on

2000 year old ROMAN AQUEDUCTS! 

The kids loved this part of the bike tour because they got to ride fast and go over a jump. So fun :)

The Appian way was a major transport road and helped Rome grow quickly as Romans had a substantially easier  task of getting into and out of the city for trade, war and travel. The Via Appia was built in the 4th century BC to link Rome with Capua in Campania, and eventually Brindisi on the Adriatic coast.

We got caught behind these sheep.

The aqueduct...so so cool :)