Italy was one of my favourite place to visit probably due to the influence of my past historical studies on ancient ROM and the Gladiator movie filmed in 2000. We went on to visit Venice, Rome and Florence. During the long journey to Italy, we got to know lots of story about the ancient Rom, the competition of wines between Italy and France and occasionally being alerted to watch a few Lamborghini's along the highway.
Venice
Some historical records believed that Venice population comprises refugees from Roman cities who were fleeing from Germanic & Hun invasion. Starting from ninth to 15th century, Venice became the first and biggest trading power in the world.
This place was built on about 117 islands and connected by hundreds of bridges. Only 3 bridges (Rialto, Accademia and Scalzi) connected to the Grand canal, which is one of the major traffic corridors of the city.
Venice City...Took this quick shot while following our tour guide.
Bridge of Sigh was one of the many bridges in Venice. It connected to the old prison and was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before imprisonment.
One of the Venice building during the gondola ride...
Venice is sinking. This is the natural consequence of building a city on wood poles set in a mud bottom and worsen by global warming.
Just married! So romantic...
Our gondola rower on the left.
Great view from one of the 3 main bridges connected to the Grand canal.
Bridge along the canal.
The campanile(bell tower) on the left and Procuratie(3 connected buildings on St Mark's square) on the right.
Another view of Procuratie....
Stall selling Venetian mask as souvenir.
The Pantheon was a magnificent temple in Rome that was later converted into the church. It holds the record for the world largest unreinforced concrete dome (diameter 43m) ever built during that time. It was a burial place for many famous Italian. Raphael tomb was one of them. I liked the external structure as it looked very classic and yet so well preserved.
The Roman forum served as a city square and central hub where the people of Rome gathered for justice and faith. Rome most famous citizen was Julius Caesar and remembered as one of the history's greatest general. He led his army to conquer a vast territory of Gaul. His glorious phrase was in my secondary history school book, 'venni vetti vicci' which means I came, I saw, I conquered. His military campaigns took him to Egypt where he had a famous romance with Egyptian ruler, Cleopatra. In 45 B.C, he reached his peak and being named dictator of Rome. But soon after that, Caesar was murdered and cremated in this Forum itself.
Finally, so happy to visit my third wonders of the world, the majestic Colosseum. This shot was taken hand held at night and I revisited the place in the next morning. It capable of seating 50,000 spectators and was used for gladiatorial contests and public entertainment. I wonder how many had died in this contest and fortunately it did not carried on till now.
View of Colosseum in the morning...
Inside Colosseum. The actual vs the computer generated in the movie was so different. It looked so much destroyed.
Bridge along the canal.The campanile(bell tower) on the left and Procuratie(3 connected buildings on St Mark's square) on the right.Another view of Procuratie.... Stall selling Venetian mask as souvenir.St Mark Basilica was built to house Saint Mark Body.
Mosaics were arranged to create the picture at the ceiling of St Mark Basilica.
Rome
Many modern lands such as Spain, some parts of England, Portugal, France, Greece, the Middle East and North Africa were part of Roman Empire. The empire was conquered by Roman army. The collapsed of this empire was believed to be due to several factors, the gradual disintegration of the economy of Rome, the barbarian invasions, political corruptions, initiation of Christianity etc.
Many modern lands such as Spain, some parts of England, Portugal, France, Greece, the Middle East and North Africa were part of Roman Empire. The empire was conquered by Roman army. The collapsed of this empire was believed to be due to several factors, the gradual disintegration of the economy of Rome, the barbarian invasions, political corruptions, initiation of Christianity etc.
Rome reminded me on the famous four ninja turtle names (Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Donatello). This place surrounded by vast historical ancient ruins, paintings and sculptures, frescoes, great architectural design and lots of delicious food.
The Pantheon was a magnificent temple in Rome that was later converted into the church. It holds the record for the world largest unreinforced concrete dome (diameter 43m) ever built during that time. It was a burial place for many famous Italian. Raphael tomb was one of them. I liked the external structure as it looked very classic and yet so well preserved.
The Roman forum served as a city square and central hub where the people of Rome gathered for justice and faith. Rome most famous citizen was Julius Caesar and remembered as one of the history's greatest general. He led his army to conquer a vast territory of Gaul. His glorious phrase was in my secondary history school book, 'venni vetti vicci' which means I came, I saw, I conquered. His military campaigns took him to Egypt where he had a famous romance with Egyptian ruler, Cleopatra. In 45 B.C, he reached his peak and being named dictator of Rome. But soon after that, Caesar was murdered and cremated in this Forum itself.
Finally, so happy to visit my third wonders of the world, the majestic Colosseum. This shot was taken hand held at night and I revisited the place in the next morning. It capable of seating 50,000 spectators and was used for gladiatorial contests and public entertainment. I wonder how many had died in this contest and fortunately it did not carried on till now.
View of Colosseum in the morning...
Inside Colosseum. The actual vs the computer generated in the movie was so different. It looked so much destroyed.Fontana del MoroThe Piazza Navone is one of the most famous squares in Rome. It was a great place to just relax and view the surrounding lively activities. The large and lively square features no less than three magnificent fountains.
Many paintings readily to be sold in the square.
Man in working attire posed in static form. One of the way to attract tourist for some income.
Fontana della Barcaccia or "Fountain of the Old Boat" is a fresh-water fountain located just below the famous Spanish Steps. It was named because its shape of a half-sunken ship with water overflowing its bows. This place filled with so many locals and tourist. I was wondering why the peoples can just sit and observe the fountain for such a long time, as if something going to pop out from the fountain.
Yummy! Time for local delicacy. I like this Italian pizza with a crispy base.
Trevi fountain is the most beautiful fountain I've visited. The main figure is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot pulled by two sea horses. One is calm and the other one is restive symbolizing the fluctuating sea moods. This is the place where I tossed a coin from my back over my shoulder into the fountain. Legend said by doing so, I will come back to Rome again.
St peter Basilica is regarded as one of the holiest Christian sites and located in Vatican City. Saint Peter was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and was buried there. The queue was very long and after queuing for nearly an hour, we finally managed to get in.
Man in working attire posed in static form. One of the way to attract tourist for some income.Fontana della Barcaccia or "Fountain of the Old Boat" is a fresh-water fountain located just below the famous Spanish Steps. It was named because its shape of a half-sunken ship with water overflowing its bows. This place filled with so many locals and tourist. I was wondering why the peoples can just sit and observe the fountain for such a long time, as if something going to pop out from the fountain.
Yummy! Time for local delicacy. I like this Italian pizza with a crispy base.
Trevi fountain is the most beautiful fountain I've visited. The main figure is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot pulled by two sea horses. One is calm and the other one is restive symbolizing the fluctuating sea moods. This is the place where I tossed a coin from my back over my shoulder into the fountain. Legend said by doing so, I will come back to Rome again.
St peter Basilica is regarded as one of the holiest Christian sites and located in Vatican City. Saint Peter was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and was buried there. The queue was very long and after queuing for nearly an hour, we finally managed to get in. The dome architecture was magnificent and is the tallest dome in the world. It was Michelangelo last great work since 1546 until his death on 1564. Giacomo della Porta finished the work with the construction of the actual dome and now the dome stood at 41.47m diameter.
Bernini's baroque canopy stands above St Peter's tomb.
I took a snapshot of this beautiful mosaic floor decoration in the Vatican museum.
This photo was taken upon my entry into the Map Room which consist 40 topographical maps of the regions of Italy. Rather than concentrating on the maps on both sides of the walls, my actual attention went to the fresco ceiling. Does that looks emboss out and 3D to you? I am no painter but from what I saw(may be wrong though...), it was a brilliant painting that plays around with shadow effect thus creating the entire fresco to be protruding out.
Raphael fresco - School of athens. This unique fresco consist of many well known names such as Plato and Aristotle(walking towards the steps), Plotemy(holding the globe), Pythagoras, Socrates and many others. They had contributed to our current education system.
Florence
Our tour bus made a quick stopover for a group photo and to view this beautiful Florence city.
Bernini's baroque canopy stands above St Peter's tomb.
I took a snapshot of this beautiful mosaic floor decoration in the Vatican museum. This beautiful fresco caught my attention. A monotone background coupled with the two colourful main characters. Truly creative and admirable masterpiece by the great Renaissance artist.
This photo was taken upon my entry into the Map Room which consist 40 topographical maps of the regions of Italy. Rather than concentrating on the maps on both sides of the walls, my actual attention went to the fresco ceiling. Does that looks emboss out and 3D to you? I am no painter but from what I saw(may be wrong though...), it was a brilliant painting that plays around with shadow effect thus creating the entire fresco to be protruding out.
Raphael fresco - School of athens. This unique fresco consist of many well known names such as Plato and Aristotle(walking towards the steps), Plotemy(holding the globe), Pythagoras, Socrates and many others. They had contributed to our current education system.Finally, the main highlight of the Vatican Museum, the 'Sistine Chapel'. It is still being used for official ceromonies. This place was simply breathtaking that I had totally forgotten about the massive crowd in this chapel by standing there and admire the great Renaissance fresco artwork by many well known artist, Michaelangelo, Raphael, Bernini and Sandro Borticelli. Behind the altar was one of the great work by Michaelangelo, 'The Last Judgement'. No photo taking was allowed in this chapel though.....
Florence
My trip to Florence was short. It is a capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany. Many great artist such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Donatello were from this city.
Our tour bus made a quick stopover for a group photo and to view this beautiful Florence city. One of the main attraction in Florence, 'Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore'. Another unique Gothic architecture....
Fabulous painting on the ceiling of the cathedral dome interior.
Fabulous painting on the ceiling of the cathedral dome interior. Mmmmm....My Italian Gelato experienced.
Famous scupture by Michaelangelo, 'David'. This was the duplicated copy while the original is being kept in the Accademy of Fine Art, not far from the square. There was a mild downpour after that but fortunately I managed to glance some of the main attractions in Florence. We had an evening Tuscan dinner entertaint by an opera singer.
Florence town hall, the medieval 'Palazzo Vecchio' located at Florence's most famous square 'iazza della Signoria'. Many fine sculpture can be seen in the square including the sculpture of Medusa head, David(copy), Fountain of Neptune etcs.
Famous scupture by Michaelangelo, 'David'. This was the duplicated copy while the original is being kept in the Accademy of Fine Art, not far from the square. There was a mild downpour after that but fortunately I managed to glance some of the main attractions in Florence. We had an evening Tuscan dinner entertaint by an opera singer.My trip to Italy had fluorished me with so many brilliant artwork by well known Renaissance artist, majestic architectures, cultures and not to mention, the finger licking Italian food.
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