Thursday, 25 April 2013

Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and St. Peter's Basilica

Thursday April 25
This morning we took a tour to the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and St. Peter's Basilica.  
I threw a coin into Trevi fountain.  The proper way is to stand with your back to the fountain and toss any coin from your right hand over your left shoulder.  According to custom this will ensure your return to Rome.
The Pantheon is the only Roman structure that is in the original condition and has not been restored.  It now houses the Basilica Santa Maria Church.  The columns in the Pantheon were made in Egypt and brought to Rome via the waterways.  They weigh 80 tons each.
In St. Peter's Basilica we saw the famous Pieta sculpture carved by Michelangelo and the only one he ever signed.  
Some interesting Pope facts:
Pope Francis has chosen to live in the same apartment he stayed in when he was a visiting cardinal.  
Retired Pope Benedict does not live in St. Peter's, but is currently living in the Pope's Summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.  
Pope John Paul II, in his 50's when elected to Pope, liked to jog and could be seen jogging in the Basilica's gardens.
Some Popes are buried or entombed in the Basilica and in other areas of Rome, while others are mummified and on display in St. Peter's.
That was our morning tour.  This afternoon we are going on another 3-hour tour...a 3-hour tour.

Trevi Fountain
 
Egyptian Obelisk

The Pantheon

The Tiber River

The symbol of Vatican City

Michelangelo's Pieta

St. Peter's Tomb

Mummified Pope

Pope Francis apartment is top floor second window on right

 
 

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