Dateline: Rome Italy Friday 15th April 2011

Victor Emanuel Monument

Fine and warm.

We arrive in Rome and head to the Metro to take the train to the Spanish Steps. Line A of the Metro isn't running due to a strike so we take Line B to the Vittorio Emanuele Monument. We're not having much luck with the metro trains. First Wimbeldon and now Rome. Apart from the strike one metro line is closed after 9pm at night due to work on the extension.

Know as the Father of the Fatherland Victor Emanuel was the first king of a united Italy. The monument is massive and attracts large crowds. It is also a memorial to the unknown soldier with an eternal flame guarded by the Italian army.   Watch out . . . attendants blow a whistle at anyone who makes the mistake of putting down their bag or sitting on the steps. They are very protective of their monument.

From there we climb Aventine Hill for spectacular views across Rome. The white marble Victor Emanuel Monument is clearly visible on the skyline of Rome.
We move on to the church Of Santa Maria in Cosmedin where in the portico is La Bocca della Verita, (The Mouth of Truth). It actually appeared in the1953 film Roman Holiday. According to popular belief it was said that anyone putting their hand in the mouth of this marble mask and swearing falsely, could not withdraw it.


 
After dinner back on the metro to the Trevi Fountain for some night shots. Can't believe huge number of people who are there late at night!  Well, we were there so I guess it's not that much of a surprise :). Back to the hotel by bus since the trains have stopped running.

The Trevi Fountain at Night

So far so good, we can manage the language OK although most Romans seem to have a fair grasp of English.   It's impossible to avoid school groups on excursions, they're everywhere we go.  

 Why do tourists go to the tops of tall buildings and then put money into telescopes so they can see things on the ground close-up?