Europe 2011: All Roads Lead to...Rome! (Catacombs)

We did a little souvenir shopping, then back on the bus to visit the Catacombs of St. Domitilla. These are the largest catacombs in Rome and is the only catacomb with a subterranean basilica.

Sara getting on the bus.

Christina going into the back entrance of the motorcoach.

Melody before trekking underground.

As we pulled up to the ancient burial grounds, family members began shouting out who was going to go below to view the graves and who wanted to stay above ground. Since photograph isn't allowed in the catacombs, I'll show you the pictures from those who chose fresh air.

Mom and Miles having a small picnic!

Glorious shade.

Handsome Miles.

The catacombs were cool--both in temperature and content. It wasn't as scary or gross as many of us had imagined--thank goodness! Before long, the tomb-dwellers joined the land-dwellers and we all were on our way back to the hotel. Mom and Dad had planned a special evening--one that required us to be clean and look presentable.

Just finished viewing graves from
the second century and beyond.

No zombies!!! We made it out alive!

TO BE CONTINUED...

Europe 2011: All Roads Lead to...Rome! (Vatican City)

Yummy lunch! Do you like Bill's hat?
It was Anna's but she didn't
feel like wearing it during lunch.

Sara enjoying the ravioli.

After lunch, we moved on to Vatican City. It was time to have a little talk with the Pope about what's what! He must've heard we were coming because the papal flag was missing from his balcony signifying that he was at his country estate where he vacations during the summer. What?!?! Probably better for everyone involved--he wouldn't have liked what I have to say!

Sign leading to the Vatican.

One should know here that all throughout Italy, but especially in Rome, there is a strict dress code to follow inside all Catholic churches. Women (and men, for that matter) are not allowed to show cleavage, bare shoulders or their knees. Stephen, Bill and Bobby were all very upset about the cleavage rule as it pertained to men--more on that later.

William showing us his Vatican ticket.

 After Stefania retrieved our admission vouchers and listening gear, we all entered the sacred grounds. We first went to the Pio Clementino Museum where the classical antiquities are kept. The next stops on the tour included the Gallery of the Candelabras, the Gallery of the Tapestries and the Gallery of the Geographical Maps--which showcases the Renaissance Art acquired by the church. The tour ended with the Raphael Rooms and the most talked about, Sistine Chapel. An interesting fact about the Sistine Chapel--you are not allowed to take photos inside. Apparently, when the frescoes underwent restoration from 1979 to 1999, to offset the cost the Vatican sold the copyright license to the Japanese television station, NHK. What?!?! Whatever!

Bill mirroring the popular stance found
in most Roman sculptures of the Gods.

Hall leading from one Gallery to the next.
Just like Stephen in the picture above,
everyone was bumping into each other because
there was so much happening on the ceiling!

 After the Galleries and Chapel, we were ready to enter the mac-daddy of churches...St. Peter's Basilica.  It is an awesome wonder, indeed. I always dreamt of getting to visit here. When others would talk about it, my mind didn't really know how to visually interpret their descriptions of the Basilica. Well, let me tell you, my imagination did not do it justice. It was so much bigger and ornate than I had imagined. The magnitude of the structure is overwhelming. It honestly inspires awe. And, without the Church authorities insisting on it, visitors instinctively show reverence.

View entering the Basilica.

Inside St. Peter's.

Gorgeous!

Look at the sweet couple
in the bottom left--precious!

That said, there was also a creepy element. Glass coffins with past Popes laid out--not my thing! Makes one wonder how some traditions (and the reasoning behind them) are created in various faiths.

Gross!!!

Once you've finished exploring the Basilica (and looking for all the clues from Angels & Demons), you step out into St. Peter's Square. This is where crowds will gather to receive a blessing from the Pope. If you saw the movie, Angels & Demons, you will remember that there was a pretty impressive scene shot here.

Pope John Paul II

St. Peter's Square

TO BE CONTINUED...

Europe 2011: All Roads Lead to...Rome!

Our final city to visit as a whole was Rome. When we docked in Naples after our day in Capri, we met back up with our motor coach and were shuttled through the very beautiful regions of Compania and Lazio.

The children all have a fond memory of this ride as it was the first (and only) time that they got to eat french fries in Italy! We stopped on our way to Rome at a little known restaurant, but, thankfully, known to Stefania. The kids had all been eating a pretty grown-up menu on this trip as you might expect. So, when Stefania herded us into this fancy-looking restaurant, I think the kids were all assuming that it would be more of the same. The smiles on their faces when each of them received an entire plate of their own loaded with the golden fries was completely entertaining. And, the adults were just as happy when we received some of the tastiest pasta offerings one could imagine.

As we pulled into Rome, our driver drove us past some of the most recognized sights in the world on the way to our hotel. Stefania touched a little bit on everything we were seeing and promised to share more as we made our back to all these landmarks in the next couple of days.

After checking into the hotel and getting settled in our rooms, the group met up in the lobby so we could go hit some nightclubs. Nah...we all went to bed!

Early the next morning, after eating a tasty breakfast, we rode over to our first stop--the Roman Coliseum. As we were driving over, there was a light sprinkling of raindrops; however, just as soon as we disembarked from the coach, the drizzle stopped and the clouds started to dissipate. The rest of the day was gloriously sunny and clear.

Group picture in front of the coliseum.

Being animal lovers, all the kids were
beyond excited to meet this little cat.

I think this is an extremely cool photo!
Love the angle!

After the coliseum, we made our way over to the Roman Forum. But first we stopped at the Arch of Constantine. It's amazing to think that this arch signifies the changing of the religious landscape of the western world. It makes one wonder what the world would look like today if Constantine had not been converted to Christianity.

Melody in front of the Arch of Constantine.

I was surprised by how low the forum is in relation to the other areas of the city. In turns out that the forum had to be excavated a great deal as the grade of it kept rising as debris and silt eroded from the surrounding hills, resulting in layer upon layer. The Romans would simply build new buildings or roads over the covered ruins. Thus, we saw several different layers that had been excavated.

The thing that most impressed me was the still running drinking fountain! It's located next to the Temple of Saturn. Stefania assured us that the water was still good for drinking even though it has been there since 1874. Here's a little history on these drinking fountains, called nasones, found all over Rome:

The spout is an engineering masterpiece. A small hole at the top and the water’s strong pressure allow for practical drinking. Plugging the main spout with the palm of your hand causes the water to pour upwards out of this hole in a perfect drinking arch.

(Rome's City Guide for Kids)

Mary Elizabeth drinking the ice-cold
spring water!

The Swope Family teetering on the Temple of Saturn's ledge.

We left the forum and walked to what has become known as "The Wedding Cake Building" for the obvious reason that it looks like a tiered wedding cake. It has several official names by which it is known, but I like Altare della Patria (Alter of the Motherland).

The coolest part for me was the statue of Vittorio on his horse. It is huge!! In fact, it is the largest equestrian statue in Europe. On the day that it was put into its current spot, over twenty grown men set-up a table inside the statue and celebrated by eating their lunch. Leave it to the Italians to think of everything!

Stephen's Family posing in front of the "Wedding Cake"
with Vittorio Emanuele II on his horse.

A picture of the picture taken with some of
the men who ate inside the statue.

Vittorio on his horse.

Walking a little further down the road, we came upon the Fountain of the Lions. These are two black lions that are located at the bottom of the steps that lead up to Capital Hill. For me, the most interesting thing to learn about these lions is that after the election of two popes (Pope Innocent X and Pope Clement X), as part of the celebration, instead of spouting water...the lions spout red and white wine! Can you imagine??

Stephen and Sara resting with the children at the bottom
of the steps. Where are the other adults??

Could they be here? Visiting the wine lions??

TO BE CONTINUED...