Vatican Museum, Pantheon, Piazza Novona, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain

After the sites of the morning in we decided it would be a shame to go all that way and not go into the Vatican museum, due to conclave the modern arts exhibition and the Sistine Chapel was closed. This was disappointing, but afterwards we decided it was a good job as we struggled to take everything in, after 4 hours of culture and the evening had drawn in when we got out.

From start to finish the whole museum was impressive, decorated in rich vibrate colourers with art work adorning the ceilings and walls, the eyes could not take in the feast of colours and exquisite works, be it the painting, tapestries or sculptures.

 

You find yourself seating in rooms just to look up at the ceiling, it’s a place where you wish you were a child; to have an excuse to lay on the floor and scare. (This would save a crook in your neck anyway).

We took the audio tour as we did not want to be rushed around, but wanted to know what we were looking at. This gave Charlie the freedom to investigate what he wanted and prevent him from being fed up. It must have worked as he did not even rush us along. I also think that, as he knew a lot of the artists and sculptures names for him (and us) to be able to see the creativity works first hand he did not mind, and delighted in pointing them out.

We also used the museums restaurant, which was the most reasonable place to have a cuppa and something to eat.

Next we went to the Pantheon where I was informed by Charlie that he has climbed that; this got us a few strange looks (he was talking about Assassins Creeds- Brotherhood). This then became a bit of a game of spotting the buildings he had climbed.

The Pantheon was a building that we all wanted to go to, we were recently was asked the question by a friend “Does the rain go through the hole” needless to say Charlie laughed and advised it does and they rope off the area that gets wet- Don’t you just love health and safety!!!!

I have to admit I should have read up more on the Pantheon, as it was an interesting place.

I also came away intrigued to learn more about Barberini, as he stripped the bronze from the building and the Romans came up with a saying “What the barbarians did not do the Barberini did”. This was not the only place we hear this saying as other guides mentioned it.

We ventured back to the bustling Piazza Navona for something to eat and to explore the three fountains, the local tradesman selling a variety of products, and off course we also went into the shops , you should visit the toy shop on the corner which was a little bit like going into Santa’s workshop.

This was one of the best piazzas we went to, and well worth the visit.

 

It was getting late now, however we were advised to visit Trevi Fountian at night so walking our evening meal off; we ventured through numerous piazzas, past obelisks and columns, all with in a small area.  (You have to take a guide book with you so you can see what you are looking at). As we where walking around picturesque back streets and tripping over attractions we came across an unassuming building and bolted on to the back was this magnificent site:

 In my opinion Trevi Fountain is the most fantastic fountain we came across, and off course we throw money into the fountain, as per folk law.

After this we decided that there was nothing we really wanted to see in the upper part of Rome but the Spanish steps, which we also got told was nice to see at night, we decided to go- To be honest this was the most disappointing site, but I put it down to the time of year as the flowers had not bloomed and the beer bottles on the steps did not appeal, I found this strange as all of the shops were upmarket in the area.

I was amazed after such a long day we could not wait to explore again the next day.