I’ve never been to Italy before but wanted to and especially so Rome, with my girlfriend being Italian I have had all the more reason to finally go. Cue long weekend away, leisurely sight seeing and lots of lunches, dinner, great eating and drinking. I wasn’t on a photo-mission but took my gear with the intention of selective usage. What I found though was that there is jaw dropping incredible beauty literally everywhere. Rome has been described as being like an open museum which I found a great analogy – you can’t walk fifty meters without finding something of historical beauty. Rome is this fantastic merging of era’s, from ancient Rome to the present day, all seamlessly blended into one amazing city. It’s a photographer’s delight, but I kept a rein on my impulses and limited my shooting to a few select occasions. One weekend doesn’t Rome justice though, I will definitely be going back for more exploration and understanding of that amazing place.
Editorial usage licences and professionally produced fine art quality prints can be purchased from my Photoshelter site from tomorrow.
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I didn’t get to see the Pope, but I did bump into a Cardinal and a big religious ceremony being held at The Coliseum.
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Paying extra for a guided tour means you get taken down into the depths of the Coliseum, and to the upper levels. Well worth doing as you wouldn’t get to see those areas otherwise on a regular entrance ticket.
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The Coliseum is much bigger than it seems from the outside – the girl in the picture illustrates the scale.
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Motorcycle Cabinieri – the Italian military police.How one should drink espresso, Italian style… Italian coffee bar culture is much cooler in the UK. Rule #1 – NEVER drink cappuccino/latte after midday, its a breakfast drink only. Don’t make the same mistake I did on day 1. Strictly coffee/espresso only from lunchtime onwards – it’s da rules, ok?A street view from a cafe in the Monti area of central Rome. A great place to hang out for a coffee/wine/lunch/dinner.The Pantheon – there is a hole in the centre of the dome. Apparently the floor is curved to allow any rain to run away easily.Piazza del PopoloThe Spanish Steps – people relax and talk gathering around the Fontana della Barcaccia at the foot of the steps. The Spanish Steps are a popular meeting point for locals and climb a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti, dominated by the Trinità dei Monti church at the top. Known as The Scalinata, it is the widest staircase in Europe.Piazza Navone – a view of a portion of Fontana die Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) made by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, facing Chiesa di Sant’Agnese in Agone (Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone) – the main architect of the latter being Francesco Borromini. The two were known not to like each other and Gian Lorenzo disliked the design of the Church, symbolised in the hand of the statue in the fountain cowering his eyes to protect himself of the church.A statue of the twins Romulus and Remus suckling on the she-wolf. Romulus and Remus are central characters of Rome’s foundation myth. According to myth, they quarrel over where to found Rome and Remus is killed, leaving Romulus to found the city.The Vatican – the colonnade of Piazza di San Pedro outside St Peter’s/Basilica di San Pedro.The Vatican – The obelisk stands before St Peter’s/Basilica di San Pedro in Piazza San Petro.
A statue outside St Peter’s Basilica at The VaticanSt Peter’s Basilica
Michaelangelo’s Pieta in St Peter’s Basilica at The Vatican
