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The Vatican and ancient Rome
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Rome truly is an amazing city! You can turn the corner and another amazing church/ruin/building/statue/fountain confronts you. Right in the midst of the choking pollution are spectacular ancient ruins. A short while away is the Vatican City in all its grandeur. There is so much to see that it is hard to describe, but the Colloseum and the Roman forum, and the Vatican would have to be the highlights of our trip.
The Colloseum is every bit as big as you might think and I can only compare it to the MCG. We stood there trying to imagine what the 80,000 + crowds over 2000 years ago must have been and sounded like and what spectacles they must have seen, many of course fights to death. There was even some Roman graffiti carved on some of the pillars! The amount of ruins in this area is breathtaking and takes the best part of a day to explore. Of course, there is also the Pantheon, which is the best preserved ancient Roman building of all. Massive pillars adorn its front and the continually restored interior is brilliant.
The Vatican city is the smallest country in the world but still has its own post office and pizzeria. Its museums, for us, win best museum hands down. It is almost like they have kept all the best stuff and only let other museums have the odd bits and pieces. The Sistene Chapel and the Last Judgement are truly among the best works of art ever and the transfiguration by Raffaello, as well as the Raffaelo apartments, are magnificent. The are also countless amazing sculptures and collections from around the world. The Vatican also has St Peter's Basillica, the largest church in the world and its interior is awe inspiring. Most churches seem insignificant in comparison. In fact many cities now seem insignificant in comparison!
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| 63. | The Vatican and ancient Rome - Rome, Italy Sep 28, 2005 (  4 ) |
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