Civitavecchia (Rome) , Italy   Wednesday October 28, 2009 Civitavecchia is the gateway to all the magnificence of the ancient city of Rome. Whether it's the Forum, the Sistine Chapel, the Pantheon or St. Peter's Basilica that sparks your interest and intellect, Rome is home to a lifetime's worth of historical, architectural and spiritual sites. Depending on traffic, the drive from Civitavecchia to Rome takes approximately an hour and a half.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Rome, the "Eternal City", capital of Italy and the Catholic Church, is a modern, lively and fashionable city.  It lies roughly in the center of the region Lazio (Latium) between the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and the Apennine Mountains to the east. The Tiber River curves through the City and Ancient Rome is situated on the left bank, as are the original Seven Hills of Rome and the more modern shopping areas, while the Vatican City is on the right bank of the Tiber.     Many Romans today are employed in tourist related industries, as well as in government, film-making and some other small-scale industries.  The citizens of Rome still enjoy a rfelaxed way of life, and live and love life to the fullest.  It is believed locally that on the last day of the world the Romans will throw a great farewell party, a gastronomic feast with wine flowing from the City's many fountains - "La Dolce Vita!"    Rome is unique because of its many fine buildings that span so many centuries of history and it is richer in masterpieces, both architectural and artistic, than most any other city in the World. HISTORY: According to legend, Romulus and Remus, twin sons of the War God; Mars and Rhea, a Vestal Virgin, were abandoned as babies and brought up by a She-Wolf.  They grew up to lead a band of outlaws and adventurers before Romulus killed his brother and founded Rome in 753 B.C.    From 800 to 600 B.C., Rome was ruled by seven Latin and Etruscan Kings, but in 509 B.C. the Romans revolted against the Etruscans and established a Republic.  Soon its influence spread, and the entire Italian Peninsula, Spain, Gaul and the Mediterranean fell under its dominion.  A long period of civil war ended with Julius Caesar's defeat of Pompeii in 46 B.C.    In 27 B.C. Octavius Augustus, Caesar's nephew, became Rome's first Emperor, during whose reign, many famous buildings were erected.  Some of Rome's most spectacular structures were built during the Flavian Dynasty, including; the Colosseum, the Arch of Titus and the Forum of Trajan.    Rome was gradually transformed to Christianity during the 4th century, causing much social turmoil. The Papacy developed into the Supreme Ecclesiastical Power in the West. Eventually Rome's overextended empire become top heavy with it's own bureaucracy and in 395 A.D. the Empire was split in two and soon fell into decline.    By the 5th century A.D. Rome's grandeur had long past and the Dark Ages descended upon Rome, with invasions by Goths, Lombards and Franks.  It wasn't until the 15th century that a resurgence took place and Rome progressed rapidly.  In 1922 Mussolini began the Fascist regime that lasted 20 years.  At its fall, Rome was occupied by the germans until liberated by the Allies in 1944.  In 1946 Italy was declared a Republic by referendum.

Click on thumbnails for a larger picture

On The Road To Rome	Romans Park Anywhere	The Pyramid in Rome	Former Forum Area
Arch	Arch of Constantine (315 A.D.)	Nancy at Colosseum	Roman Soldier
Floor As It Was	View of Interior (72 A.D.)	Overall Floor View	Temple of Diana
A Cross in the Colosseum	Back of Colosseum	Back of Colosseum	Part of Old City Wall
Tiber River	Jolly Hotel Villa Carpegna	Our Guide Maria Elena	Vatican Museum
Vatican Museum	Floor Mosaic	Michelangelo's Pieta (1499)	Crypt of St. Peter (64 A.D.)

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