Visiting Rome these past two days has absolutely exceeded all my expectations. I was completely blown away by the incredible sights this city has to offer. It was especially interesting to see so much of ancient Rome still so well preserved in a modern-day world. The last two days, we visited some of the most important sights throughout the city, including the Coliseum, Roman Forum, Vatican museums, Sistine Chapel, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish steps. My favorites of these, however, were definitely the Coliseum, Vatican/Sistine Chapel, and Pantheon for their rich history and beautiful designs.
The Coliseum was one of our first stops, and it took my breath away when I walked off the metro train to see the Coliseum. Of course, I knew what the Coliseum was prior to this trip, but I was not prepared to see such an incredible ancient monument amidst the bustling city. It was surreal. While we unfortunately had to wait roughly an hour to get inside, it was well worth the wait. Although much of the original architecture had been decayed over the hundreds of years of its existence, it was stunning to see how much of it truly had been preserved and maintained over so much time. Our tour guide told us it takes three whole years to just clean the Coliseum—that is clearly some dedication from the city of Rome to preserve its history! Next, we visited the Roman Forum. This was where many of the ancient Romans would meet for various business, religious, or even social matters. There was an incredible view from the hill upon which the forum sat which overlooked much of the beautiful landscape of Rome.
On Saturday, our first stop was to the Vatican museums. Like our first two stops on Friday, the Vatican was filled with enriching history and stunning architecture. I honestly do not know what I was expecting to see at the Vatican, but I was absolutely stunned by the intricate work by Michelangelo and all the tireless work he put into creating it. I was moved to tears by some of his most powerful pieces, including the Creation of Adam and the Last Judgment.
Saturday concluded with one of my favorite sites, the Pantheon. I loved hearing about the symbolism utilized in its design, most prominently the contrast between circles and squares to represent the need for balance between the heavens and earth. Meanwhile, I also thought it was fascinating to learn that the Romans were able to tell time from the circle of light which radiated from the oculus at the top of the dome to the wall. Before we left the Pantheon, I was so delighted to have the chance to hear a choir sing a beautiful hymn. Overall, Rome left me feeling overwhelmed with such strong joy.