Colosseum, Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain today

What a day! Unfortunately today was our first real day of rain. Off to the Colosseum early and few people!! 

What a magnificent structure. Hard to believe it is over 2,000 years old. 

And such activities that took place there! 

Just the size is amazing, enough for 70,000 people. 

The ability for the Romans to built such arches that still stand today is remarkable. 

One can only imagine what went on below the arena with animals, gladiators and criminals. 

As we headed back to our hotel there are more tributes to Popes and emperors.

A change of shoes was necessary after a couple of hours walking in the rain.

Next stop, the Basilica Papale de Santa Maria Maggiore, just a block away from our hotel.

My photo and one from Google! 

The Basilica is said to contain wood from baby Jesus’ cradle now placed under the alter in the Crypt of the Nativity held in a crystal reliquary. 

It is an impressive building. A large central hall with many smaller chapels off to the sides for services. 

I loved the ceilings. 

And 

So ornate and gold 

On the top of our hotel is a roof garden. In the summer there is a bar. No such luck in November but the views are great. 

And we look pretty good too. 

Next stop the Pantheon. Note the sky cleared. 

A short wait and so worth it. They checked for proof of vaccination, ID plus a temperature reading. We passed even though no one has been able to verify our Canadian QR code. 

What a remarkable building. Again 2,000 years old and still standing. It was built for all gods - pantheon. It is the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.

The doors are over 24 feet high and and 14.6 feet wide. These bronze doors are the oldest ones in Rome. 

No touching of anything in the Pantheon is allowed. However once outside I thought it would be ok… oops 

Yellow Bunny didn’t know she wasn’t allowed so it was a quick shot. 

Walking now to the Trevi Fountain. How can one resist such colours in November? 

It’s been quite some time since we had granola and yogurt for breakfast and it is a tradition to at least once in every new city to check our McDonalds, yes Maureen and Doug? So we did! 

Quite the experience. Order only at the kiosk. Limited seating inside and wait quite a while to get your food. But we persevered. Hey, only $30 Canadian!

Now back to Rome culture. The Trevi Fountain with other romantic tourists! All taking selfies.

And of course us too. 

Back to the hotel for a restful afternoon and rest up for tomorrow. Dinner tonight is in our room maybe with Netflix. All tv is in Italian. Miss miss Canadian news.