Tuesday 16 September
Woke early today to the sound of
light rain – which soon cleared – left tent, having emptied car! for garage.
Pleasant man who said service (short one) plus mending wipers would be about
4700 lire. Leaving the car we walked to Piazza Vescono, caught # 35 bus to main
station (Temini) for 50 lire each. Went into tourist office to obtain the usual
excellent street plan free (why people buy maps I’ll never know!). Then to
Italian Auto club to complaint about Autotrade cost. As we thought we had been
overcharged and tomorrow are going to see man about it. Next back to the
station, caught the # 20 bus headed “Circolane Sinistr” which for 50 lire drive
right round city i.e. round walls, up to Vatican etc.
We got out at the
Coliseum and had lunch overlooking the Amphitheatre. What thin cats there are
and 2 English women are in Roma raising money to feed them! They must be mad.
The Coliseum can be entered free if in possession of YHA “pass” (saving 150
lire each). Built in AD80, parts are still in good condition. We saw the Arco
di Constantino erected to commemorate Constantine’s victory over his rival
Mascentius in AD312. A longish walk with a visit on the way to Basilica di
Massenzio, now a church but was the courts and exchange to Campidoglio
(Capitoline Hill) overlooking the Roman Forum (closed unfortunately).
The steps
and approaches were designed by Michelangelo and the beautiful bronze statue of
the Emperor Marcus Aurelius on horseback overlooking the Via Vuttorio Emanuele.
From there it was a short walk to the Pantheon at Piazza della Rotonda, the
only complete building of ancient Rome left standing. Built by Agrippa in the
time of Augustus Caesar (around 27BC) as a temple to Venus and Mars. From here
to Piazza Colonna for a coffee, and with living feet to see the beautiful 18th century Fontana di Treri, showing Neptune in a
chariot drawn by two tritons – we did not throw the 2 coins over our shoulder.
From the fountain a walk to the Termini and # 35 back to collect car. Bill in
fact came to 3133 lire so quite pleased. Back to tent via shop for some 3/6 Chianti,
exhausted!
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