At the Piazza del Popolo, we could climb on the metro which stops at the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Piazza Venezia, the Circus Maximus, the Vatican and other popular sites. Frequently we could choose just to walk onto the street to the left, Via del Babuino, to reach the Piazza di Spagna, the Spanish Steps and then, the Palazzo Barberini (undergoing renovations as of May 2015) or we could travel on the center street, Via del Corso to reach destinations such as the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, the Piazza Navona, the Piazza Venezia, the Forum, the Colosseum, the Palatine Hills and the Circus Maximus.

Often, we would take a break to rest, eat, use the toilet facilities at the Babington’s Tea Room, located near the Spanish steps, or any nearby pizzeria, food truck, café and gelato store when we were not in this area. The daily gelato treat became an habitual treat for us.

Continuing on the eastern road, from the Piazza del Popolo, Via del Babuino, you will be able to window shop at high-end stores like Chanel as well as at the souvenir and the more reasonably priced boutiques. If one makes a left (east) turn while traveling south onto Via del Tritone, one will eventually reach the Palazzo Barberini (undergoing renovations in 2015), one of Rome’s most splendid 17th-century palaces, a landmark of the Roman Baroque style. Pope Urban VIII had acquired this property to give it to his nephew, who was determined to build an edifice worthy of his generous uncle and the ever-more-powerful Barberini clan. The result was, architecturally, a precedent-shattering structure, set right in the heart of  Rome and designed to be strikingly open to the outdoors.  On one wing of the Palazzo Barberini, you can ascend the Bernini’s staircase to the Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Antica, to view famed paintings including Raphael’s La Fornarina, a luminous portrait of the artist’s lover; the paintings by Sodoma, Marriage of St. Catherine and Rape of the Sabines.

 To see many of Rome’s major sites we would head out on to the center street  from the Piazza del Picolo, Via del Corso which ends at the Piazza Venezia. This street leads to Il Vittoriano which is the landmark dominating Piazza Venezia,  a monument dedicated to King Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of Italy. The construction of this immense white marble monument – built on the side of the   Capitoline Hill- in the early twentieth century, greatly enlarges this square. In 2009, during excavations for the Rome C Metro Line, ancient remains of what has been identified as emperor Hadrian’s Athenaeum were unearthed in the middle of the square. The main artery, the Viale di Fori Imperiali starts there, leading past the Roman Forum and to the Colosseum.

Two of us ladies did climb the steps of the Il Vittoriano to reach the terrace for a spectacular panorama of Rome. From the terrace, we could get an overall view of the Forum in the front, with the Colosseum in the background, and the Palatine hill on the right. When we exited this building to meet our friend who took time for a smoke, we headed left, onto the Viale di Fori Imperiali to the Forum and then the Colosseum.

It was at the Forum where citizens could meet to exchange opinions. It would have been busy and loud like the street markets of today. Frequently, it was used as a place where official announcements could be proclaimed to the public.  Also, it was used by adult Roman male citizen to openly share  their ideas by Orating which the Romans loved.  This is where politicians gave their speeches. People entering the Forum would stop and listen to anyone Orating, before they would wander away to do their shopping.

The Roman Forum was the focus of judicial activity which was moved to the new Basilica Aemilia (179 BC). Some 130 years later, Julius Caesar built the Basilica Julia, along with the new Curia Julia, refocusing both the judicial offices and the Senate itself. This new Forum, in what proved to be its final form, then served as a revitalized city square where the people of Rome could gather.

The Forum was also used for festivals and religious ceremonies.

Then we walked to the Colosseum which is the most iconic roman monument. The line was so long to enter, even with the Roma pass purchased tickets, that we were enticed by a tour company representative to skip the lines for 13 extra euros to become part of a tour group. By taking this step, we were part of a guided tour for the Colosseum and the nearby the Palantine Hill.

The tour guide described how the “Great Fire of Rome” in 64AD devastated this area to where Nero supported the construction of a grand amphitheatre which began (71-72AD). It was completed during the reign of Titus in 80AD and by 81AD when a third level had been added. A series of spaces was added beneath the arena used as a “backstage” area which has been excavated. In the 2^nd century repairs were carried out and in 222 after extensive fire damage the Colosseum was completely rebuilt over the course of 30 years.

The colosseum was used for bull fights, gladiator fights, chariot races, official events and various public forms of entertainment. At its peek the most popular event was the Ludi Circenses, the chariot races, there were also naval battles reproduced with complex stage effects. Rome had a strict class system and there were 5 levels of seating within the audience according to your social status. At capacity the arena could hold 50,000 to 80,000 spectators on the marble benches.

It was awe inspiring to be able to walk almost anywhere while   observing and marveling at ancient architectural wonders every few feet. I will discuss this more in my next blog.

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the ROMA PASS site-www.romapass.it/p.aspx?