2000 year old Echoes
Sunday, January 29th, 2012 Leisure, Photography, Travels pompeii None
Taking a stroll in the ruins of Pompeii was… I don’t know… using a little bit of imagination, it felt kind of like taking a time travel about 2000 years back in time. We walked the streets, checked out local brothels and bakeries and enjoyed the sun shine on marble stones embedded in the streets. The bright white stones also reflect the moonlight, making it easy to follow the main roads in night-time. It must still be a beautiful sight, like watching the reflection of a sparkly night sky.
As we walked through the city, we noticed that wheels from horse carriages that used to fill the streets had left permanent marks in them. We were taken away by mosaic floors with the warning “be aware of the dog” (in latin) and amazingly well preserved frescos depicting sexual activity. The guide told us that 32 bakeries and 24 brothels were discovered in the excavations of Pompeii (roughly 35% of the city is still covered, though). Lars comment was: “Jaha, så det var tydeligvis såvidt litt viktigere med brød enn med morrabrød…” I won’t even try to translate that one…
After the eruption of a volcano close by the Vesuvius (Vesuvius was evidently formed during this eruption), the city of Pompeii was completely covered by volcanic stone and ashes. Along with the buildings, about 2000 of the 20-30 000 people residing there, cats, dogs and other animals were buried alive. They all had roughly three days to get out, but for some reason they didn’t. The cavities and the bones left after the decay of the bodies were so well preserved, that complete plaster casts were made at the discovery. Seeing the shape of humans, like 2000 year old echoes of their dying moments, made a profound impression somewhere in me.
The echo of a teenage boy: 
The site was discovered by accident in 1749 (read more here) and is really well worth the three hour drive from Rome. I’ll add a picture gallery in a short while…
~Guri
Pantheon depicted
Friday, January 13th, 2012 Leisure, Photography, Travels None
Today we passed Pantheon again. A walk around the Pantheon is also a nice experience. I have tried to capture some of the details here.
~Lars
Local inhabitants
Thursday, January 12th, 2012 Ecology, Leisure, Photography, Travels Birds, breadcrumbs or salvation, cute None
Some of the local inhabitants waiting for their salvation at Piazza San Pietro. Or maybe they just want some breadcrumbs.
~Lars
Pantheon and Bar del Fico
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 Leisure, Photography, Travels Bar del Fico, chess, Pantheon None
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- Inside Pantheon
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- The dome of Pantheon
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- Inside looking out
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- Lars standing in the doorway
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- Campari bitter
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- Old guys playing chess beneath the Fico
(2/2) The visit to Pantheon was downright magnificent. Be sure to drop by if you visit Rome. In need of unwinding after a full day of grandeur, we relaxed at a café called Bar del Fico, where old men were playing chess beneath a tall fig tree. Nice :-)
~ Guri
Castel Sant’ Angelo, Piazza Navona Pantheon
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 Leisure, Photography, Travels Castel Sant' Angelo, Piazza Navona None
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- Getting ready and set
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- Castel Sant’ Angelo (r), St Pietro (b)
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- Castel Sant’ Angelo in the background
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- Piazza Navona
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- Piazza Navona
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- Lars admiring the Pantheon
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- Fuelling up for the sightseeing
(1/2) To get to the Pantheon we walked a route leading us by the Castel Sant’ Angelo which originally was built to hold the remains of the emperor Hadrian in 139 AD. It now appears as a fortified bastion which among other things served as the popes retreat site way back when (the mid-16th century I think)… We went through a bunch of charming alleys to get to the Piazza Navona and shortly thereafter, the Pantheon…
~ Guri
The Pantheon
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 Leisure, Photography, Travels Pantheon None
Headed down to the Pantheon which was amazing. The dome is the largest arched construction of its kind, concrete that is, in the world. With a diameter of 43.3 m it’s even bigger than the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica. In other words… it’s pretty frekkin impressive! The structure as seen today was completed between 118 and 125 A.D., during the reign of Hadrian.
We relaxed at several cafés and did some window shopping in the sun. Got my eyes set on two pairs of Italian shoes, a belt and a purse. Probably not going to be able to leave them behind ;-) A perfect day. Booked a guided tour in the Vatican city for tomorrow. Really looking forward to that!
~ Guri
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