Love of Rione Monti

Love Monti! I would stay no where else in Rome. 

Funky shops, great restaurants, flowers, dogs, archeological sites....You can't beat it. 

Memling Show at The Quirinale

Flemish Renaissance painter...1430- 1494. He studied under my favorite Rogier van der Weyden.
Lived in Bruges.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Memling
an important Flemish painter.

Ancient Monkey

Egyptian Money from 350's BC found in a Temple of Isis in the Campus Martius...where many of the obelisks came from. Granite. 

More Capitoline Museum

The famous Dying Gaul

Busts of Emperors and their families. 

Caracalla

Constantine

Capitoline Hill.

In the center of ancient Rome is Capitoline Hill. You can see it here on the left mid, above the river. There was a Temple of Jupiter constructed by Rome's last king, Tarquinuis. BC ( 500'S BC) ( red roof)  .
It's a facinating place. Now it houses a museum with some very important antiquities. If you are interested in the history of Rome, you need to know about Capitoline Hill.
My favorite story is how the geese on the hill warned the Roman Guard and stopped the barbarians ( Gauls) from taking the city in 390 BC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitoline_Hill


There is also the Tarpeian Rock....where criminals were tossed off to their deaths.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarpeian_Rock

Some things you may see on Capitoline Hill

The original Marcus Aurelius

Constantine

a Charitot

Romulus and Remus, the original

The Song of The Faux Gladiator.

There were gladiators already out. This one was on top of the hill next to the coliseum. Down below were 2 others. They were singing, full out....This is something you probably only see early morning. 

Of course, the real gladiators were not happy. They were only happy when they were granted freedom. 

December 26

I had this idea that I would run around the Coliseum everyday. It's only about 4 blocks from the apartment. It would have worked out OK except...

a) the weather did not cooperate. 

b) I had expended my feet by walking miles and miles everyday through Rome. 

I wake up early so that was not the problem...it was freezing and my feet/legs were hurting ( muscles!) I thought if I ran, I would not be able to do a whole day of walking after that.

But, one day, I did manage it. I ran and walked and it felt good. Look at the early morning light!

I should say, I am not a runner. I am of the opinion that it causes damage to knees and feet. I am looking for a way to exercise.

As seen on Capitoline Hill very late afternoon

walking , walking and walking...wandered up Capitoline Hill. There are great views of the forum. 

Arch of Septimius Severus

Coliseum in the distance. 

Romulus and Remus