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“Rome
We stopped for lunch at a sidewalk café. Like the Italians, we started with an antipasto (appetizer) of grilled vegetables. I also ordered gnocchi (small potato dumplings), cacciucco (fish stew), and for dessert, torta di ricotta (cheesecake). Everything was delicious! Our waiter told us that each of Italy’s 20 regions has its own specialty dishes. And I thought pizza and pasta were Italy’s main foods!”
― Letters Home From - Italy
We stopped for lunch at a sidewalk café. Like the Italians, we started with an antipasto (appetizer) of grilled vegetables. I also ordered gnocchi (small potato dumplings), cacciucco (fish stew), and for dessert, torta di ricotta (cheesecake). Everything was delicious! Our waiter told us that each of Italy’s 20 regions has its own specialty dishes. And I thought pizza and pasta were Italy’s main foods!”
― Letters Home From - Italy
“Ancient Rome
There must be at least a hundred stray cats living in the Colosseum. Our guide told us that they are protected by the government--just like an endangered species! Many years ago the Colosseum was used for wild animal fights and for contests between gladiators. The Christian martyrs who died while fighting here are buried in catacombs beneath the city.
We also visited the Pantheon. It was built in 27 B.C. by Marco Vipsanio Agrippa as a temple to all gods. Emperor Hadrian rebuilt it around A.D. 120. The entranceway has 16 pink-and-gray granite columns. Two Italian kings are buried inside.”
― Letters Home From - Italy
There must be at least a hundred stray cats living in the Colosseum. Our guide told us that they are protected by the government--just like an endangered species! Many years ago the Colosseum was used for wild animal fights and for contests between gladiators. The Christian martyrs who died while fighting here are buried in catacombs beneath the city.
We also visited the Pantheon. It was built in 27 B.C. by Marco Vipsanio Agrippa as a temple to all gods. Emperor Hadrian rebuilt it around A.D. 120. The entranceway has 16 pink-and-gray granite columns. Two Italian kings are buried inside.”
― Letters Home From - Italy
“Naples and Pompeii
Today we took the express train south to Naples. The guide on our city tour pointed out some of the magnificent cathedrals. We also explored the National Archaeological Museum. It contains some of the finest treasures in the world. It has coins, paintings, household items, and other artifacts from nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum. In A.D. 79 when Mt. Vesuvius erupted, these ancient cities were covered with a thick layer of hot ash and pumice stone. Thousands of people died. When archaeologists excavated the city more than 200 years ago, they found intact houses, temples, and shops. They even unearthed a bakery with bread still in the oven!”
― Letters Home From - Italy
Today we took the express train south to Naples. The guide on our city tour pointed out some of the magnificent cathedrals. We also explored the National Archaeological Museum. It contains some of the finest treasures in the world. It has coins, paintings, household items, and other artifacts from nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum. In A.D. 79 when Mt. Vesuvius erupted, these ancient cities were covered with a thick layer of hot ash and pumice stone. Thousands of people died. When archaeologists excavated the city more than 200 years ago, they found intact houses, temples, and shops. They even unearthed a bakery with bread still in the oven!”
― Letters Home From - Italy
“Rome
This afternoon I learned that Rome is called the “eternal city.” It’s also the largest city in Italy. Its population is about 4 million.
We hired a guide to show us Rome’s “modern” attractions. We started at the Spanish Steps. It was here, in the 1700s, that the most beautiful men and women in Italy waited, hoping to be chosen as artists’ models. The steps link the butterfly-shaped Piazza di Spagna with Trinità dei Monti, a French church.
The most famous fountain in Rome is the Trevi Fountain, with its statue of Neptune. Our guide told us to face away from the fountain and throw a coin into the water. This means we will return to Rome some day. If you throw a second coin over your shoulder, you can make a wish. I tossed two coins over my shoulder.”
― Letters Home From - Italy
This afternoon I learned that Rome is called the “eternal city.” It’s also the largest city in Italy. Its population is about 4 million.
We hired a guide to show us Rome’s “modern” attractions. We started at the Spanish Steps. It was here, in the 1700s, that the most beautiful men and women in Italy waited, hoping to be chosen as artists’ models. The steps link the butterfly-shaped Piazza di Spagna with Trinità dei Monti, a French church.
The most famous fountain in Rome is the Trevi Fountain, with its statue of Neptune. Our guide told us to face away from the fountain and throw a coin into the water. This means we will return to Rome some day. If you throw a second coin over your shoulder, you can make a wish. I tossed two coins over my shoulder.”
― Letters Home From - Italy
“Siena
From Assisi we took the bus to Siena, another walled medieval city. It is built on 3 hills and divided into 17 districts. Each district, known as a contrada, is represented by an animal, like a goose, eagle, or elephant. One district even has a dragon as its symbol!
Each year 10 districts are chosen to compete in the Corsa del Palio (Parade of the Banner). It is held twice a year on July 2 and August 16. First there’s a procession with flag bearers, musicians, horses, and riders. Everyone dresses up in medieval costumes. The main event is a bareback horse race around the Piazza del Campo, a slanting, fan-shaped plaza. More than 40,000 spectators come to watch.”
― Letters Home From - Italy
From Assisi we took the bus to Siena, another walled medieval city. It is built on 3 hills and divided into 17 districts. Each district, known as a contrada, is represented by an animal, like a goose, eagle, or elephant. One district even has a dragon as its symbol!
Each year 10 districts are chosen to compete in the Corsa del Palio (Parade of the Banner). It is held twice a year on July 2 and August 16. First there’s a procession with flag bearers, musicians, horses, and riders. Everyone dresses up in medieval costumes. The main event is a bareback horse race around the Piazza del Campo, a slanting, fan-shaped plaza. More than 40,000 spectators come to watch.”
― Letters Home From - Italy
“Ancient Rome
According to legend, the ancient city of Rome was built by Romulus and Remus. They were twin sons of Mars, the god of war. An evil uncle tried to drown the boys in the Tiber River, which runs through present-day Rome. They were rescued by a wolf who raised them as her own. Many years later, Romulus built a city on Palantine, one of the Seven Hills of Rome. The city was named after him.
The manager of our hotel suggested we see ancient Rome first. So we hopped on the metro and headed to the Roman Forum. According to my guidebook, this was once the commercial, political, and religious center of ancient Rome.
Today, ruins of buildings, arches, and temples are all that are left of ancient Rome. I closed my eyes for a moment, and I could almost hear the shouts of a long-ago political rally. I especially liked the house of the Vestal Virgins. It once had 50 rooms and was attached to the Temple of Vesta. She was the goddess of fire.
The nearby Colosseum was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater. It reminded me of a huge sports stadium. Emperor Vespasian began building it in A.D. 72. It had 80 entrances, including 4 just for the emperor and his guests. It had 3 levels of seats with an awning along the top to protect spectators from the sun and rain. It could hold up to 50,000 people!”
― Letters Home From - Italy
According to legend, the ancient city of Rome was built by Romulus and Remus. They were twin sons of Mars, the god of war. An evil uncle tried to drown the boys in the Tiber River, which runs through present-day Rome. They were rescued by a wolf who raised them as her own. Many years later, Romulus built a city on Palantine, one of the Seven Hills of Rome. The city was named after him.
The manager of our hotel suggested we see ancient Rome first. So we hopped on the metro and headed to the Roman Forum. According to my guidebook, this was once the commercial, political, and religious center of ancient Rome.
Today, ruins of buildings, arches, and temples are all that are left of ancient Rome. I closed my eyes for a moment, and I could almost hear the shouts of a long-ago political rally. I especially liked the house of the Vestal Virgins. It once had 50 rooms and was attached to the Temple of Vesta. She was the goddess of fire.
The nearby Colosseum was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater. It reminded me of a huge sports stadium. Emperor Vespasian began building it in A.D. 72. It had 80 entrances, including 4 just for the emperor and his guests. It had 3 levels of seats with an awning along the top to protect spectators from the sun and rain. It could hold up to 50,000 people!”
― Letters Home From - Italy
“Florence
Earlier today we strolled across the Ponte Vecchio. This bridge was built over the Arno River in 1345. It is lined with jewelry shops.
Originally, the shops were used by blacksmiths, tanners, and butchers. They dumped their waste into the river, causing quite a smell! A corridor above the shops was added later. This allowed the Medici family--rulers of Florence--to move about without having to come in contact with the public.”
― Letters Home From - Italy
Earlier today we strolled across the Ponte Vecchio. This bridge was built over the Arno River in 1345. It is lined with jewelry shops.
Originally, the shops were used by blacksmiths, tanners, and butchers. They dumped their waste into the river, causing quite a smell! A corridor above the shops was added later. This allowed the Medici family--rulers of Florence--to move about without having to come in contact with the public.”
― Letters Home From - Italy
