The most surprising thing is the number of great artists at the same time. This concentration has repeated itself various times over the centuries
A Month in Bella Italia
- Lisbeth
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Re: A Month in Bella Italia
They were ARTISTS
The most surprising thing is the number of great artists at the same time. This concentration has repeated itself various times over the centuries
The most surprising thing is the number of great artists at the same time. This concentration has repeated itself various times over the centuries
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
- Flutterby
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Re: A Month in Bella Italia
They had talent!
Re: A Month in Bella Italia
that is very very high... 136m.....
if you consider that the voortrekker monument is only 40m high
and that monolith seems gigantic when one stands next to it.....
the future is not what it used to be
- Lisbeth
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Re: A Month in Bella Italia
Many of the obelisks in Europe have been "stolen" in Egypt. Just try to imagine how they managed in these days to transport them to Alexandria, then on board a ship and at the end to the destination and erected there.

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
- Flutterby
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Re: A Month in Bella Italia
After the Borghese Gallery we made our way to the Trevi Fountain. The Trevi Fountain was designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Giuseppe Pannini. Standing 26.3 metres high and 49.15 metres wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world.

Coins are supposedly meant to be thrown using the right hand over the left shoulder (in which case the Brat was doing it wrong
). An estimated €3,000 are thrown into the fountain each day!
In 2016, an estimated €1.4 million was thrown into the fountain.

After a quick lunch of panini again it was off to the Colosseum. The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is an oval amphitheatre built of travertine stone, tuff (volcanic rock), and brick-faced concrete. It is the largest amphitheatre ever built. Construction began under the emperor Vespasian in AD 72, and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir Titus. Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (81–96). These three emperors are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was named in Latin for its association with their family name (Flavius).
The Colosseum could hold between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators. It was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.
The outer wall is estimated to have required over 100,000 cubic metres of travertine stone which were set without mortar but were held together by 300 tons of iron clamps. It has suffered extensive damage over the centuries caused by earthquakes and stone-robbers, but it is still an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome and is listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.


A panoramic view.

The Brat having some fun.

The Roman Forum is a rectangular forum surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. We were pretty tired of sightseeing at this point so didn't go into the ruins but just viewed them as we walked past.


More beautiful buildings.

A storm brewing.


Altare della Patria

For dinner we returned to the restaurant where we had eaten the previous night as we had really enjoyed the food and the vibe around there.


Coins are supposedly meant to be thrown using the right hand over the left shoulder (in which case the Brat was doing it wrong

After a quick lunch of panini again it was off to the Colosseum. The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is an oval amphitheatre built of travertine stone, tuff (volcanic rock), and brick-faced concrete. It is the largest amphitheatre ever built. Construction began under the emperor Vespasian in AD 72, and was completed in AD 80 under his successor and heir Titus. Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (81–96). These three emperors are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was named in Latin for its association with their family name (Flavius).
The Colosseum could hold between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators. It was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.
The outer wall is estimated to have required over 100,000 cubic metres of travertine stone which were set without mortar but were held together by 300 tons of iron clamps. It has suffered extensive damage over the centuries caused by earthquakes and stone-robbers, but it is still an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome and is listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.


A panoramic view.

The Brat having some fun.

The Roman Forum is a rectangular forum surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. We were pretty tired of sightseeing at this point so didn't go into the ruins but just viewed them as we walked past.


More beautiful buildings.

A storm brewing.


Altare della Patria

For dinner we returned to the restaurant where we had eaten the previous night as we had really enjoyed the food and the vibe around there.
- Lisbeth
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Re: A Month in Bella Italia
The floor of the Colosseum was partly made of wood, that's why it has completely disappeared.
Concerning the underground...: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/ ... -75827047/
Concerning the underground...: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/ ... -75827047/
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
- Lisbeth
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Re: A Month in Bella Italia
Don't worry I'll fill in the holes
After having seen the Colosseum, I was wondering about the floor and what was underneath ( I had not yet seen "Ben Hur" nor "Quo Vadis" ) so I thought that maybe someone else would be wondering too
After having seen the Colosseum, I was wondering about the floor and what was underneath ( I had not yet seen "Ben Hur" nor "Quo Vadis" ) so I thought that maybe someone else would be wondering too
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge