This Rome day began at the Colosseum.
After taking the metro to Colosseo, the Colosseum appears almost immediately. The entrance is still a short walk away, so we passed the Arch of Constantine first.
From Colosseo to the Colosseum
The Arch of Constantine was built to commemorate Constantine I's victory at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. Ancient emperors passed this way during triumphal processions into Rome.
The Colosseum was the largest amphitheater in the Roman Empire. Only part of the arena floor is covered today, mainly so visitors can see the structure underneath.
The entry and seating design was carefully planned: spectators followed numbered entrances, stairs, sections, and seats. That logic is still echoed in large stadiums today.
Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum
From the Colosseum, we could see the Temple of Venus and Roma. Continuing toward Palatine Hill brought us into the large area of ancient Roman ruins.
Palatine Hill is one of the seven hills of Rome and one of the oldest preserved areas of the city. From the top, one side overlooks the Roman Forum and the other faces the Circus Maximus.
Along the way were the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, Basilica Aemilia, Arch of Septimius Severus, Temple of Saturn, and Temple of Castor and Pollux. The original post included a lot of historical notes; this draft keeps the parts most directly tied to the photos.
It really looked like ruins. I tried to photograph the more complete parts, but broken walls are still broken walls @.@'"
Leaving the Roman Forum
After this point we had left the Roman Forum. Palazzo Senatorio now serves as the official seat of Rome's city government.
After leaving the Roman Forum, the monument to Victor Emmanuel II came into view. Then we took the metro to the next stops: Piazza di Spagna and Trevi Fountain.
Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain
This is one of the Roman Holiday spots where the hero rode a Vespa with the princess.
Trevi Fountain is Rome's largest Baroque fountain, and visitors usually make a wish here.
Vatican City
The final stop of the day was Vatican City. St. Peter's Basilica was built between 1506 and 1626, and is one of the most sacred places in Catholicism.
The Mouth of Truth We Missed
The one regret from this Rome day was the Mouth of Truth .'"
It had been on the list of places I wanted to visit, but we spent too long in the Roman Forum, and it was still some distance from the Vatican, so we had to give it up @.@'"
Since we did not actually make it there or take our own photo, I will not add an external reference image here. That kind of unfinished stop is part of travel too; I will leave it for next time ^.^
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Original publication date: 2001-04-06
Revised: 2026-06-17
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