Roman Holiday!!!

The Movie "Roman Holiday" has been a Favorite movie of mine since I was a little girl watching it with my Grandmother. The movie came out in 1953 starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn(love ALL her movies), the story line is that a Princess goes to Rome for a Holiday and she sneaks out of the Embassy where she is staying to go and see the city.After falling asleep on a bench, she is found by Peck a newspaper reporter. He brings her back to his apartment and discovers that She is the Princess he was suppose to have covered at  a news conference, he decides that it would be far better for him to keep his identity a secret and spend the day with her showing her Rome.So it was so MUCH Fun doing our own version of Roman Holiday!!!Here we are at the Spanish Steps,The monumental stairway of 138 steps is the widest staircase in all of Europe. They were built in 1723-1725 to link the Bourbon Spanish Embassy and the Trinita dei Monti church that was under the patronage of the Bourbon Kings of France, both located above-to the Holy See in Palazzo Monaldeschi located below.

 Next we headed for the Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin, it was built in the 8th century during the Byzantine Papacy over the remains of  the Templum Herculis Pompeiani  in the Forum. One of the food distribution centers of Ancient Rome.

The church is home to the La Bocca Della Verita,  an ancient sculpture thought to be a drain covering, located in its portico. It is also known as the Wall of Truth in it's English translation.

The most famous characteristic of the Mouth, however, is its role as a lie detector. Starting from the Middle Ages,  it was believed that if one told a lie with one's hand in the mouth of the sculpture, it would be bitten off. The piece was placed in the portico of the Santa Maria in Cosmedin in the 17th century. This church is also home to the supposed relics of Saint Valentine.

 No, we did not tell a Lie!!!

 Audrey Hepburn's character really thought he got his Hand eaten off!!!

 Off to the Trevi Fountain where we tossed a coin over our shoulder as we had our backs to it, this is suppose to mean you will return to Rome!!!

The central figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses. Each sea horse is guided by a Triton. One of the horses is calm and obedient, the other one restive. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea.The Trevi fountain was completed in 1762. It is at the end of the Aqueduct that was built in 19 B.C., it supplies water from the Salone Springs  to the fountains of Rome. I must say, we stood there for a few minutes in utter disbelief that we were really standing in front of what to many is the MOST Famous Water Fountain in the World.

 A cute little bistro, sadly we did not have time to even eat lunch this day, we had 10 hours to see ROME, Rome may NOT have been built in a day, but we were convinced we could See as much of it as humanly possible in One day!!!

 I loved this cute little Pinocchio set up, I bought both kids little Pinocchios to play with, I also bought a pinocchio ornament!!After all Geppetto created this cute little puppet so he could have a real Son. I love this story and the fact that we Must Always Tell the truth.

 The Pantheon was built over 2,000 years ago as a temple for the Gods of Ancient Rome. It is a circular building with a portico of three ranks of huge granite Corinthian Columns (eight in the first rank and two groups of four behind) A rectangular vestibule links the porch to the rotunda, which is under a concrete dome with an opening to the sky. The square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza della Rotunda. It is a very happening piazza, a band was playing(again if I can download from my phone, I will) There were outside cafe's on every side. A large fountain and Obelisk is in the center.

 A section of the piazza, love, Love, LOVE these Colors. I must say I am so happy I chose some of these warm Tuscan colors for our home, the golds, the oranges, it makes my heart and Soul feel so relaxed. We did stop here in the Piazza for some Gelato and a cold beer, the sad thing about Europe is water and soda are served cool  at best, the soda is very flat tasting, so the best Cold drink in Europe is Beer!!!Today was the first what I would call Warm to Hot day!!!

 On to the Forum!!!Loved looking at all these remains.

 The Roman Colosseum, construction began on this magnificent structure in 72 A.D. Seating was available for  50,000 spectators. The Colosseum was used for Gladiatorial competitions and public spectacles such as sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles and dramas based on classical mythology.On our tour of the Colosseum we learned that many battles between Man and Beast and Battles against Christianity took place here.

 Considering the age of this building it is remarkable, some damage has occurred because of earthquakes and vandalism. It is still by far the most visited landmark in Rome.

 The Arch of Titus and the Roman Colosseum.

 Arch of Titus

 A cross we found inside the Colosseum.

 Below ground where all the Animals were kept.

 Some of the remains, large columns, etc.

 A staircase behind my hubby that is considered not safe for daily use. We must have  walked up and down so many stairs that  day, I thought I was going to pass out!!!

 On  the very TOP floor is where the ladies of the evening performed there duties, sad but true.

 Amazing that this stuff is older then 2000 years, makes my mind boggle. What an Amazing day we had in Rome and the Vatican City. It was indeed a roman Holiday we shall not soon forget. Now back to the train station for that ride back to our Home away from Home!!!