Headed a short distance to the three-building Musei Capitolini high atop Capitol Hill...the seat of ancient Roman temples and even pre-historic settlements back to the Iron Age. The museum has an amazing sculpture collection. We finished our visit in the open-air section of the museum that overlooks the Forum. This section is the Roman temple of Jupiter.
Another long afternoon walk, starting with a daytime stop at the Pantheon...free, easy entrance into this impressive architectural wonder...originally a Roman temple...now a church. Next stop, the controversial modern building on the Tiber constructed to showcase (and protect) the ancient Altar of Peace...a huge, gleaming-wite marble "box"...carved with intricate figures. We viewed the Altar from the outside for free :)
Across the street, the simple church of San Rocco...in Rome, even the small churches are gems. Hit a couple of tourist meccas on our walk back to the hotel: viewed the famed Spanish Steps from afar...across the heads of a gazillion people. Popped by the Trevi Fountain...a brilliant fountain, buried under the weight of popularity.
Took a long winding path back to the hotel...past the gleaming monument to Italian unification; past the Forum; past the Colloseum; past the Circus Maximus. Dinner one last time in the Travestere...pizzas and wine from a recommended spot. The Travestere was full of Italians...in town for the three-day holiday weekend. Had one last wonderful gelato. Saw our angry mime again.
Fell asleep tired, but knowing we had wrung every last drop from the Eternal City.
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