Colosseum, Palatine Hill, and the Forum

Casey and I went to see the Colosseum, Palatine Hill (one of the 7 ancient hills of Rome), and the Forum earlier this week. It was so amazing to be surrounded and walking through these ruins that once stood tall and were the center of ancient Roman life. Even though they are some of the main tourist attractions now, they still hold so much power that makes you feel like a tiny ant amongst these colossal, ancient structures. Enjoy!

The Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine

Sarah and Casey inside the Colosseum

Colosseum

Again

The had a great exhibit at the Colosseum. These are some of the objects they found when they were excavating the Colosseum and the area around it. 

Hippodrome on the Palatine Hill

The stadium on the Palatine Hill

Sarah on the Palatine

Antiquarium Forense

Arch of Titus and the Colosseum from the Palatine Hill

Looking down into the Roman Forum. The Forum was the ancient Roman "downtown." It housed temples, shops, and was the hub for all political activity. This was where you went to gossip, hear news, and go to markets.

Statues in the House of the Vestals

Columns from an ancient temple

Temple of Saturn (or Vespasiano)

Trajan's Column

Ciao Y'all!

Mr. Bruce comes to visit

So Mr. Bruce, Casey's dad, came to visit us in Rome this past week. We were so lucky to get to spend some time with him, and experience our life in Rome with us. We ate amazing Italian food, drank tasty Italian wine, and saw some pretty spectacular Italian places. Mr. Bruce- thanks for everything. We had a blast!

Lunch at il Matricano. Mr. Bruce had bone marrow from veal. I had spinach and ricotta ravioli (completely homemade). Casey had fettuccine with tomatoes and basil. Appetizers were artichokes and complimentary eggplant parmesan. It was heaven.  

Lookin' up Italian words and drinkin' vino della casa 

Casey and Mr. Bruce with St. Peters in the background 

Aperol spritz with the sunset 

Italian lovin'

Typical Naples street in the historic center of town 

Wish this was ours 

Buffalo mozzarella pizza in Naples 

Oh the trash... 

Old men fishing in the harbor

Mt. Vesuvius 

Castel dell'Ovo 

Naples coast 

Sailboats 

Naples harbor. Can you see the cruise ship? We watched it sail away from the top of the castle.

Edge of the castle 

Mr. Bruce and Casey with the island of Ischia in the background 

Wedding photos. The photographer had them pose like this and close their eyes and smile for the picture. Pretty cheesey if you ask me.  

Olympic stadium at the AS Roma game 

Francesco, Mr. Bruce, and Casey at the game

Ciao Y'all! 

Ostia Antica

We went to Ostia Antica yesterday, which is Rome's ancient seaport. We were surprised how large it actually was! As it is today, Ostia Antica is 84 square acres, which is two thirds of the city's original size. It had an amphitheater (which is still used in the summer time for classic plays), bath houses, temples, a forum, and many business and houses. It took us three hours to see it all. We hope you enjoy the photos, and please go if you are ever in Rome! It is well worth the trip.

The Decuman Massimo was the main street of Ostia Antica made of ancient basalt paving slabs.

One of the bath houses

The ampitheater

Oh no. Casey's body turned to stone!

This is the Mill of Silvanus. It still has 4 standing millstones in it!

Plaza of the Guilds

Thermopolium of Via di Diana. This was basically a restaurant. 

the Capitolium

The Tiber river. This is where the coastline used to be. 

Chariot frescoes

Well preserved door/entry way

Relief on marble

We found the Statue of Liberty's sister here too!

All of the white is marble

On the outskirts of the city

Ciao Y'all!