Another Hard Day of Walking in Rome (Part 1)

Today we went to the Coliseum, and enjoyed seeing the size and tried to imagine what it would have been like to be there 2000 years ago. So much history in those walls.  We talked to one restorer we saw working, and he said that over 10,000,000 people came to the Coliseum annually! No wonder they are always trying to fix it up!

And the Constantine Arch

Afterwards I went on my own to explore the sights at Palentine Hill, intending to go through to the Forum and back towards our apartment.  I think only got lost three times :-)

My first try to get to the Palentine Hill was a short jaunt up the Alla Chiesa Di San Bonaventura which ended at the small church at the top of the hill. This was the motif~statue over top of the entrance to the church:

Along both sides of the road to the church there was a lot of activity like you see in the next picture (which really, you see alot in Rome). I gather a lot is restoration, but I took a picture of what appeared to be three archeology students - I say students as they appeared to be university age - the older I get, the harder it is for me to guess ages  :-)

This is a panoramic shot of the view from the road looking towards the Coliseum.

When I finally found one of the proper entrances to the Palantine Hill, one of my first views was the Palatine "Stadium"

The next three pictures are my next stop along the way...

I found the Neronian Cryptoporticus:

What's really amazing is that the light that is coming from the "windows" are just from two "holes" in each one.... kind of like an ancient version of "tube skylights" that you can buy now. 

I passed la casa di livia, and its cistern (under cover).  

Looking at the viewpoint here, near the top center of the skyline is where I wanted to go (the first place we caught the open top sight seeing bus). Its not where I ended up... but the adventure was good none the less! 

From one viewpoint I tried to orient myself... I think this was the second time I felt like I was lost.

I didn't take a picture of it, but looking behind to the right I could see the Coliseum and the church I visited at the beginning of my walk to the hill.

There was so much to see.... My next post will be on the rest of what I saw on my way to the Forum on my walk that day...