Pompeii

Pompeii was covered with 13-20 feet of ash from Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. It was around for hundreds of years before that as a Greek colony and then a Roman colony.

This is where the gladiators lived and practiced.

Large amphitheater.

Street with sidewalks.

Water well.

Coming into the Forum and the public buildings.

This is part of the Forum Square where you could meet with magistrates.

As archeologists dug through the solid ash, any air pockets would be filled with plaster, and the people were preserved.

You can see the wagon wheel ruts in the stones.

Small bronze statue called "the Dancing Faun".

Columns in the back of House of Faun.

Looking down a street at Mount Vesuvius.

Temple of Apollo.

They had fast food cafes.

Tania, Carla, Loretta, DeAnn, and Rixa.
We are in front of the Basilica where they administered justice and commercial transactions.

Temple of Venus.

It amazed me all they have uncovered and how much more they are working on.

The Vatican Museum

Center square with museums all around

Entrance to the Museum

Hall of Statues

View of Rome out a window

Phil by an ornate bathtub

Following family to next museum

The tapestries were amazing.  This is just part on one about Baby Jesus in the Manger.

You had to look up in every room to see all the art work there.

I found this painting very moving, the women taking care of Christ.

Sistine Chapel

Circular staircase

St. Peter's Basilica

A much needed dinner at a sidewalk cafe across the street.

The Vatican

Walking down the Vatican wall from our B&B.

So many amazing things to see!

The patina on the obelisk.

Michelangelo's Pieta of Mary cradling the dead Christ.

Peter holding the keys.

St. Peter's square was inspiring.

Mediteranean Cruise 2011

Our first day in Rome. Loretta/Doug, Tania/Mark, Phil/Carla, & Lonnie/Rixa at the Colosseum.

Phil and Carla at the Forum. The Arch of Constantine/Colosseum. The back and front of the Pantheon. Trevi Fountain and Piazza Venezia.