Tuesday May 02, 2006

By This Sign I Will Conquer Today began with a visit to Le Catacombe di Priscilla. The catacombs are complex underground burial grounds quite like a labyrinth in some respects. It is excavated out of soft volcanic terrain and is the final resting place of martyrs, Popes, as well as many common folk. The bodies were wrapped in linen shrouds and laid to rest in one of five types of burial plots, the most common called loculi. With over 40,000 buried in this multi-level cemetery it is astounding to find that it is not the largest in Rome. The most amazing sight to behold within the Catacomb was a paintinf of Mary and baby Jesus, it is the oldest painting in the world, and it is done in Fresco. After the Catacomb visit we traveled by bus over to the Trevi Fountain where we walked over to the Pontifical Gregorian University and met up with Rev. James Dugan, S.J. He provided us with a tour as well as a thorough understanding of the education of the Jesuits. One fact to hang on to is that the Society of Jesus was founded by St. Ignatius in 1540. We also learned what the IHS on the U of D crest translates into the following phrase: By This Sign I Will Conquer. Knowledge is power isn't it? Posted by melinda ( May 02 2006, 04:00:02 PM EDT ) Permalink Comments [0]

Monday May 01, 2006

Gladiators and the Colosseum Our day started this morning at 11AM, but it felt like 5AM. Italy is six hours ahead of us. The sun is out and the weather is crisp, just like a spring morning should be. We began on foot and headed to the Colosseum. There is so much history involved in this structure that I couldn't possibly do it justice here. What we did learn is that the word Arena comes from the Latin word Aréenae which means sand. Sand was used on the stage of the Colosseum to soak up the blood that resulted from the event games. This enormous Amphitheatre took 9 years to build which is actually exceptional. After leaving the Colosseum we traveled the road that Mousellini built. We also saw the Arch of Titus that was built by Jewish slaves. For many it is a painful representation of 2000 years of persecution to the Jews. On the other side of the Arch of Titus is the Ancient Ruins of the Roman Forum. In ancient Rome the forum proper was the heart of Rome, which was founded by Romulus. The Roman Empire spanned 1200 years. After leaving the Roman Forum we dispersed to explore Rome on our own. Today is a Holiday, equivalent to Labor Day in the States, so we'll be exploring Rome with the masses. Posted by melinda ( May 01 2006, 12:08:37 PM EDT ) Permalink Comments [2]

Sunday April 30, 2006

Here we are in Italy - Eccoci a Italia We all arrived safely in Italy today. We are staying at the Santa Prassede Hotel across from a georgeous Catholic Church with the most exquisite architectural detail that you could ever imagine. The weather was a little touch and go in the beginning, but the sun came out just in time for our walking tour. A group of twenty of us managed to cram onto a bus that was full by American standards and traveled over to the Piazza Navona. Once there our tour guide gave us an extensive history behind the three fountains located in the center of the square. The main focal point of this tour was the the Four River Statue. Mounted at the top of the already impressively scuplted fountain is an Egyptian obelisk. Aparently this is one of thirteen obelisks strategically located throughout Rome. They serve as markers for the churches. Our next stop was the Piazza della Rotundo, or Circular Square. The gargantuan temple positioned there, the Pantheon, has been in place for 1,870 years. According to our guide the Pantheon, originally built by Agrippa, never closes. It was the largest freestanding dome until 1956. We breezed by the Temple of Adrien on our way to the Trevi Fountain. The beauty of this fountain can only be captured through your own eyes, but we did manage to take a few snapshots. Tradition has it that as you walk away from this fountain you toss a coin, using your right hand, over your left shoulder. This will guarantee a return visit to Rome. Apparently some of us couldn't resist the Hollywood version of this tradition and threw three coins. The second is to find love while in Rome. The third is to find love and get married while in Rome. Afterwards we saw the Fontana della Barcaccia. It is known to some as the sinking boat, others as the ugly boat, I suppose you can decide. This boat was in the same square as the Spanish Steps which were crawling with purple azaleas. The three flights of shallow steps lead of to the church of Trinita dei Monti. It was truly a sight to behold. Now although we didn't conquer the steps on this visit we did manage to conquer the menu at the Wine Bar. Italian Cusine is definitely to be appreciated in Rome, especially after a long walking tour. After dinner we decided to take the metro back to the hotel to get rested for the adventures that Monday would bring. Posted by melinda ( Apr 30 2006, 11:33:25 AM EDT ) Permalink Comments [1]