Santa Maria sopra Minerva
by oneonta_ni
This is a 13th century gothic church built on top of a temple to the goddess Minerva. I loved the blue star-studded ceiling in this church. Michelangelo's Risen Christ is located near the altar. Apparently, the church officials were so shocked by the nudity, they put a little bronze 'cloth' on it to cover up the offensive bits. (Photo in my 'More Photos' travelogue).
The remains of St Catherine are near the altar as well. The church is open from 7am - 7pm; do be respectful if there is a mass on.
Gianicolo
by pginer
On top of this hill there is a monument for Garibaldi. I like very much Garibaldi's history: he was a General and conquered more than half of Italy. At the end of his life, when he had Italy at his feet, he offered it to Victor Enmanuelle II: the King of Italy at that time. And the result was the first time in history that Italy was united!
Left Luggage at Termini Station
by amyLbrown2002
There is a left luggage at Termini station, which is really handy. It costs 4 euro for 5 hours, then the rate increases to 6 euro for 6 hours - 12 hours. It can be left much longer than that, overnight I think, but I didn't look at the prices for those.
It is situated down the corridor to the train to the airport. It is really well sign posted so you shouldn't miss it. If coming up from the Metro it is straight ahead.
Leaving it to a local
by TheWanderingCamel about Osteria la Gensola
This was a lunch to die for. We met our friend in the middle of the Isola Tiberia, walked across the Ponte Cestio and into Trastevere where she headed unerringly for her favourite restaurant, the Osteria de Gensola. With its tucked-away location on a quiet square and unassuming entrance - simply "Trattoria" painted over the door and the day's menu chalked on a blackboard, no outside tables the day we were there, you could easily pass this place by, but you'd be missing a real treat.
Housed in a XVth century palazzo, golden walls, lots of mellow wood, red tablecoths, flowers and a central table laden with luscious-looking desserts create a welcoming atmosphere as you enter. Once we were seated at a table in an inner room, the serious business of deciding what to eat began. We left the choice to our friend and the waiter - and the feast that resulted was vindication of the wisdom of that decision.
Booking is essential here at the della Gensola - as we discovered when we returned with MrL and some friends a couple of nights later. Regional cooking with more than a nod towards Sicily is the style here. Our lunch began with a little antipasti - stuffed and fried olives, a flavourful octopus salad and - my favourites - stuffed zucchini flowers.
The tradtional Italian lunch of primi and secondi piatti is usually beyond me, but with so many good things on the menu here, we managed it by sharing dishes - 2 pastas between three of us, and the same with the main courses. Eating Italian style - slowly, slowly - a two hour lunch - helped us to manage a small dessert as well.
Ravioli stuffed with tuna and asparagus was wonderful, as was the linguini with anchovies and pecorino. Grilled squid and a fennel salad were a perfect combination but the standout was stracciato of eggplant and beef. Stracciatto means shredded and that's what this was, the finest strips of meat and the vegetable both cooked to melting tenderness, beautifully seasoned and simply presented.
Strawberries in a citrus sauce finished the meal - and us - off to perfection.
We were guests at this restaurant and didn't even see a menu once we were seated inside so I have no idea of what this cost, but, if I'd been paying, I'd have been happy with the bill, whatver it was.
Coliseum - home of the gladiators
by aukahkay
The ancient Roman amphitheater, the Coliseum, was built in 72AD by Vespasian and completed in 8 years by Jewish prisoners. During the glorious days of the Imperial Roman Empire, it was the venue for bloody gladiator fights and wild wrestling with lions to satisfy the blood-thirsty Romans. In its heydays, it could seat 80,000 people. The Coliseum is elliptical in shape, 187m at its longest end and 155 m at its shortest. The height of the external ring reaches 50m from ground level. Around the exterior run three orders of arches, respectively adorned with Doric, Ionian and Corinthian columns and a fourth floor with Corinthian pilasters.
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This photo was taken at 7:00 a.m.
Nick listening to the audioguide
Obelisk in front of the Pantheon
Colloseum
