First Day in Rome

First Day in Rome

Our first full day in Rome started with a fascinating lecture on Rome's history.  After the lecture we walked to the Capitoline Museum. This museum has some of the best of the ancient Roman art that has survived. It also has a great view of the Forum! 

The She-Wolf of Romulus and Remus fame, once thought to have originated around 200 BC, is in the museum.  

The bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, one of the few surviving from the age of the caesars, was once thought to be of Constantine. Because of this error it wasn't destroyed, and is housed in the new part of the museum. 

I am standing next to a foundation wall of a temple discovered while excavating for the museum. 

The highlight of our day was an after hours visit to the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. 

I have visited here previously (along with thousands in attendance). Our group of twenty-something had the whole place to ourselves. Incredible! The guard in the Sistine Chapel even allowed us to take some photos. Michelangelo' ceiling is spectacular, along with his painting of the Judgement above the altar.

Photos 

My photos don't begin to do justice to these paintings. 

We visited the Gallery of Statues - usually closed to the general public- and the Papal quarters, with its Raphael frescoes. All in all, a very special day! 

Mike and I also bought our first gelato. It won't be our last.