Category Archives: Roma

The Pyramid of Cestius was built around 12 B.C.E.  to honor a magistrate and religious leader named Gaius Cestius.  At least it’s not an obelisk.

The Aurelian Walls were built between 271 and 275 C.E. during the reigns of Aurelian and Probus.  They were ordered built because the city of Rome had long outgrown the old Servian Wall built in the 4th century B.C.E. (which, interestingly, did … Continue reading →

I was coming up the escalator from the train platform at Re di Roma and the Metro station was cold.  Really cold.  Like, cold even for me.  I couldn’t figure out why this was station was such a thermal anomaly … Continue reading →

The Palazzo dei Quirinal — or, colloquially, just Quirinale — is sort of the White House of Italy but way, way, way bigger.  It’s the official residence of the President of the Italian Republic and sits atop the highest of the … Continue reading →

This is the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (“Fountain of the Four Rivers”) which I had stupidly confused with the Trevi Fountain.  This is the fountain I had always wanted to see.  In fact, I went full-Aragorn when I saw it, … Continue reading →

This is the Arch of Titus, built by Domitian in 81 C.E. to celebrate his recently deceased brother Titus. It is probably most famous for being the inspiration for the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, although at 15.5m and 50m, respectively, … Continue reading →

The Arch of Constantine sits next to the Colosseum.  It was built in 315 C.E. and is the largest of the Roman triumphal arches.

Looking up the Spanish Steps… …to the Trinità dei Monti at the top of the hill (which, weirdly, was entrusted to France until 2006.)Looking back down the Spanish Steps at sunset to the Piazza di Spagna… …and over Rome’s skyline.  The crazy angles and … Continue reading →