Colosseum

Erected starting in 72AD and finished 8 years later

View of understage where dressing rooms, cages, props, etc. were kept. These were hauled up to the arena level on 80 different elevator shafts via a system of ropes and pulleys.

There was seating for 70,000 people in the amphitheater

Colosseum was used to entertain populous with week long events - free shows, games and fights.

Side view of Arch of Constantine and Colosseum

Arch of Constantine

In 312 AD, Emperor Constantine defeated his rival Maxentius in the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. He became sole emperor and legalized Christianity.

St. Peter's Square in Vatican City

The obelisk in the center is 90 ft. of solid granite and was originally erected in Egypt more than 2000 years ago. The emperor Caligula moved it to imperial Rome.

The ring of columns on both sides of the Basilica symbolizes the arms of the church welcoming everyone with its motherly embrace. It was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. 140 statues, each 10 ft. tall, of Bernini's favorite saints line the top of the columns.

We had to wait in line to enter the Basilica even though we were with a tour.

St. Peter's Basilica

The balcony where the Pope appears to bless the people on Christmas and Easter

The Apostolic Palace. The Pope's bedroom is the last window on the right on the third floor. His study is the window next to it on the left, where he appears occasionally to greet the masses.

It was tempting to climb into the fountain to cool off!

Swiss Guard

There are 122 altars inside the cathedral. The popes financed the building of the basilica by selling "indulgences," allowing the rich to buy forgiveness of their sins.

At 448 feet from the floor to the top, this is the highest dome in the world. The words around the dome are written in 7 foot tall letters.

The Pieta was created by Michelangelo when he was only 24 years old.