Final Thoughts on Roman Fountains

One of the major things that I am going to miss about Rome is the public fountains. In a city where everything is extremely expensive, the Roman fountains have provided a convienent method of free hyrdration. There are fountains located all over the city, and no matter where you are, you aren't far from a fresh drink. Before coming to Rome, I was under the impression that the water would be unsanitary, and you would have to buy bottled water. This pre impression couldn't have been any further from the truth. The water that I have been drinking since coming to Rome, has been the purest water i've ever drank in my life. I love that there are no chemicals added to the water that comes from the fountains. The water back home in State College doesn't even taste like water it has so many chemicals in it. Not only am I going to miss the public drinking fountains, I am also going to miss the numerous decorative fountains located all over Rome. Many of them have been in place for hundreds of years. It is impossible to escape history in this city. Visitors, and residence of Rome are reminded every day when they take a drink, that their thirst is quenched by aqueducts built thousands of years ago. This fact fascinates me when I considering the places i've lived in the States weren't even founded 300 years ago, let alone their water systems. I'll think of Rome everytime I drink tap water back home, you can be sure of it.

images courtesy of (www.ancientsculpturegallery.com)

Final thoughts on the Colosseum

As I wrap up my last week in Rome, I want to reflect on my experiences while viewing the Colosseum. One of my major reasons for studying abroad in Rome, was because I have always been fascinated by the ancient wonder. Ever since learnign about it in grade school I've always been in awe of the Colosseum. While I have been living in Rome, I've visited the structure many times, and everytime I see the Colosseum, it still fascinates me. To think this was built over 2000 years ago, with none of the technology we have to day absolutely boggles my mind. I've observed many little things at the site that I didn't know about before coming here. For instance, above every arched entrance, there are Roman numerals that say what section your walking under. I wasn't sure how the seating was assigned before I came here, and so far this is the best evidence that I've found that proves people were assigned to different sections. I was aware that people were located according to class, and that they had to sit in specific areas. Before coming to the site however, I wasn't sure if each section was divided into smaller sub sections. The Roman numerals above the entrances prove that there were in fact smaller sub sections. This is just one example of the many interesting things I've taken in at the Colosseum site. The stadium was so far ahead of it's time that it bewilders me. I'd give anything to go back in time, and take in the atmosphere surrounding a sold out battle. When I walk around the present day area where the colosseum sits, I can imagine some of what took place, but I'll never really know for sure what it was like. When I board the plane to go home on Friday, the first thing I'll look for if we get close to the city, is my favorite structure in Rome. The coin tossed over my shoulder at the Trevi ensures another visit, and you can bet the Colosseum will be on my itinerary.
Image courtesy of (http://www.topmasala.com/images/wonders/colosseum.jpg)

Lets go to Aqua Piper!

During my time in Rome there has been a distinct change in seasons. When we first got here, many mornings we needed sweatshirts, and the nights also got very cool. Over the past couple of weeks the temperature has been rising up into the 90s every day, it is safe to say summer has arrived. It seems that every tram and bus I see now has advertisements for Rome's best water park called Aqua Piper. When I first started seeing the advertisements, I had no interest in visiting the water park. Now that the weather has heated up, I see it becoming a real possibility. The crystal clear pools, and winding slides, on the ads make it very hard for me not to yearn for a day in the water. We have a free day on Thursday so a group of us might make the trip to the water park. I'll be sure to post details if this happens. Its so hot!

Walk through Piazza Del Popolo, Espagna, and Republica

On monday June 23rd, we went on one of the walks that we created last week. My group decided to do Nicole's walk that took us to three piazzas. We started our walk at Piazza Del Popolo, which is a 15 minute tram ride, and a 20 minute walk from my apartment. I wasn't sure how long it would take me to get there so I left my apartment an hour early. I was glad that our first stop on the walk was far from my apartment, however because it gave me the opportunity to explore parts of the city that I hadn't been to before. Instead of walking down Corso, I decided to take back alleys to the piazza. By the time I had gotten to our starting point I had already been walking for 30 minutes. I passed by numerous coffee shops, and churches that I had never seen before. I tried to stay in the shade as much as I could, because even though it was stlll early morning, it was already getting hot. I had already visited the first two piazzas on our walk, but this was the first time that I had been to them in the morning. The Piazza Del Espagna looked very strange to me at 9:45 AM trenched in sun with nobody sitting on the stairs. I got a whole new aspect of this tourist hot spot. After walking down the stairs we continued to the Piazza Del Republica. This was the first time that I had visited this particular spot. I had already heard a great deal about this spot in the city because when President Bush visited Rome, this was where the Italians held their anti Bush rally. I had no interest in seeing that, so when everyone was going to this particular piazza, I opted out. I was really glad I got the chance to see this piazza because one of my themes is fountains, and the fountain in the center of this piazza is very large and beautiful. The fountain is comprised of many shoots of water all spilling towards the center. I wish I could post pictures of this fountain, but unfortunately my camera broke, and I have no way to upload photos anymore. Anyways, it was a beautiful morning and a very pretty walk. It was a great way to start my last week in Rome.

Viewing Roma St. Peter's Style

The other day I walked to the top of St. Peters, and could see the whole city. It was the best view from above that anyone could ask for because the Vatican looks out into the heart of Rome. I easily spotted the some of the sites I had vsited such as the Pantheon, The Jewish Synagogue, and the Victor Emannuel "wedding cake" building. However, I was very surprised at how hard it was to see the Colosseum. It was a good thing I knew exactly where it was located, or I doubt I would have been able to see it. The outer wall was the only part of the structure that you could see. I was hopeing the find a spot in Rome that overlooked the city, where you could find a good view of the Colosseum, but unfortunately, I havn't been able to find such a place. Regardless, I am very glad that I took the time to walk up the 400 plus steps to the cupola at St. Peters. You can see for miles, with rolling hills as the backdrop for the city. It only costs 5 euros, and I'd definitely be up for doing it again.
Image courtesy of (chicainery.blogspot.com/images/rome7.jpg)

Walking tour; Fountain Descriptions

The first fountain during my walk is a fountain designed by Bernini. The fountain is called Fontana Dei Quattro Fiumi. There is a large Egyptian Obelisk located in the center of the fountain. There also two smaller fountains located on either side of the Fontana Dei Quattro Fiumi.  The Piazzo Navona is an oval shape, the other two fountains are located at both ends of the oval.  The second fountain on the walk is located at the Pantheon, in the center of Piazza Della  Rotunda. This fountain was originally designed to be placed in Piazza Navona. The marble fountain is a sculpture of four ugly masks spitting water in four opposite directions. When you look at the fountain from far away, the faces do not look as goofy as they actually are. A close look at this fountain is very interesting, and actually quite comical. The third fountain that you will pass on the walk is called the Fontanelle Del Facchino. This is one Rome's historic talking statues. The water comes out of a barrel held by a porter. It was created in the 16th century. This fountain is a great place to grab a cool drink, during the hot summer months. The water always comes out cool and fresh! The last stop on my fountain walk brings you to the Trevi Fountain, which was completed in 1762. This fountain is considered to be Rome's most famous, and it is also one of the largest. The fountain itself is actually bigger than the Piazza is sits in. The two central figures are Neptune, one of them is mastering a sea horse, while the other is taking control of a more peaceful animal. The fountain symbolizes the two moods of the sea. It is well known myth, that if you toss a coin into the fountain over your shoulder, you will return to Rome at some point in your life. (Facts from Eyewitness Travel Guide, and www.garden-fountains.com)

A walk to four major fountains in Central Rome.

This walk will be taking you to four major fountains in Central Rome. You will see Fontana Dei Quattro Fiumi, The Pantheon Fountain, Fontanella Del Facchino, and the Trevi Fountain. Starting off at the center of Piazza Navona, next to Fontana Dei Quattro Fiumi, head down Corsia Agonale. With you back to Piazza Navona, make a left on Corso Del Rinascimento, then make an immediate right onto San Giovani d'Arco. Continue on this street until you come to Via Rosetta, make a right onto that street. You have now arrived at the Pantheon Fountain located in the center of Piazza Della Rotonda. Head straight on Piazza Della Minerva, and when you go by the Santa Maria sopra Minerva make a left on Via Del Pie Di Marmo. This street will lead you into a small parking lot in an area called Piazza Del Collegio Romano. Continue straight through the parking lot, and head down the small alley directly in front of you called Via Lata. Near the end of the alley before you reach Via Del Corso, notice the Fontanella Del Facchino on your left. This is a great place to stop for a nice cool drink. Make a left on Via Del Corso and walk until you come to Via Delle Muratte. Make a right onto this street and follow it until  you come to the Trevi Fountain. 

Directions from Piazza Navona to the Trevi Fountain