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Day 1 in Rome was spent exploring the ancient parts of the city. Although the entire city is incredibly old, the ancient parts include the coliseum, monuments, burial sites, and various building. Most of these parts where entirely underground until about 200 years ago and are as old as 2500 years. It was very hard to imagine a building being more than 300 years old which is about all you will find in the states. Here are some pictures from the coliseum.
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Everything was on such a grand scale, they didn’t just build a monument, it had to be larger than the last and take more time and materials. They used so much material that they would have to rob other sites of it’s marble to complete the next one. Doesn’t make too much sense, but you ca see where some buildings have been stripped. Every seat and most of the flooring and walls in the coliseum were done with marble. This structure was one of the biggest things I have ever been in, but what made it really impressing was that it was built so long ago. Today we have cranes and power equipment. Back then they had pulleys and levers and the backs of thousands of slaves. Here are some pictures from the most ancient part or Rome. Keep in mind, 2/3’s of this was completely underground until about 200 years ago.
That was about it for the first day. We probably walked 10 miles that day just to be able to see everything. So it took a long time. There we taxis and buses, but it wasn’t worth the cost and time it took to wait for them.
The city of Rome was a typical large city. The people were busy and the traffic was crazy. Pedestrians had the right-away so you could just step out into most streets and the cars were expected to stop, but that was a huge risk if you ask me. EVERYONE was in a hurry.
Next entry will be our time in the newer parts of Rome.
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