Rome - Day 1

(Although we are now back in Barga, I'll post some pictures of our 3-day visit to Rome)

It was quite a long train ride from Perugia to Rome, and a lot of it was spent in dense fog so we couldn't see too much. Nearer the great city however, the fog cleared and we entered Rome in bright sunshine, and it was much warmer than in Perugia.  

On our first full day as on all three days, we walked around the famous landmarks of the city.  Today the Pantheon, the Trevi fountain (being refurbished), The Spanish steps (ditto) and the Vatican and Michelangelo's  Sistine Chapel. 

We were fairly tired when we arrived at the Vatican, and very tired after we had walked the miles of rooms and corridors of the "Short Tour" past wonderful rooms completely frescoed by Raphael, and so we were amazed that the finale, the Sistine Chapel,  still had the power to knock our socks off.  It was much bigger than expected - more the size of a cathedral - and although it was fairly busy, there is seating round the sides, so we could crane our heads upwards more easily, and ... we had our binoculars!  Marvellous.

Creative flower arrangement a the market near our flat

A peek into a lutiers shop on our way through the narrow streets of our neighbourhood

Outside the Pantheon

A candid shot of politicians and a suspicious bodyguard

Cupid and friend attempt breakout from Trevi Fountain scaffolding

16th century tapestry on the way to Sistine Chapel

No photos allowed in the chapel, so this famous image of the
hands of God and Adam is a stock photo

Efficient means are employed to dissipate the hordes quickly afterwards ...

A fashion shoot under way on this busy bridge over the Tiber with a backdrop of
Castel Sant'Angelo - originally commissioned in 130AD by Hadrian as a family tomb,
and used a a castle in succeeding centuries