Rome (1 of 2)

There was a saying, "a lifetime is not long enough for Rome".  There is simply too much to see.  When reading the "Lonely Planet - Italy" guidebook after the tour, I realised we had only seen a small portion of Rome in this tour.

Map of Rome

Rome is a big city but most sights lie within a relatively compact area.

St Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Our first stop was "St Peter's Basilica".  The cavernous interior contains spectacular works of art, including Michaelangelo's Pieta (bottom row, right-most pic).  Outside the Basilica, we saw one of the few obelisks of Rome.  We next visited the Vatican Museums.  The itinerary of the museums always finishes at the Sistine Chapel.  Michaelangelo's artworks decorate the ceiling and wall of the Sistine Chapel.  You can find some details of the artwork at:

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-sistine-chapel

The bottom row middle picture above showed part of the famous "The Last Judgement", taken off a poster.  It depicts the souls of the dead being torn from their graves to face the wrath of God.  We were not allowed to take pictures in the Chapel because it was said the camera flashes would make the artworks fade.

Colosseum, Forum, Arch of Titus, Piazza Venezia and Pantheon

It was at the Colosseum that gladiators met in mortal combat and condemned prisoners fought off hungry lions.  Outside the Colosseum, we saw part of the Roman Forum (former shopping mall,  civic centre and religious complex).  

Bottom row - we also visited the Arch of Titus (Arco di Tito), Piazza Venezia (hosting the tomb of the Unknown Soldier) and the Pantheon (dedicated to pan theos "all the gods", before it was converted into a church).  More detailed write-ups of the Pantheon can be found below:

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-pantheon