The Vatican Museums Through the Eyes of a Teen

 Posted by on March 31, 2012  Comments Off
Mar 312012
 
The Vatican Museums Through the Eyes of a Teen

As part of #1 Son’s recent school trip to Italy, the group spent a day at the Vatican Museums.  Although perhaps best known for the Sistine Chapel and the works of Michelangelo and Botticelli, the Museums are actually a vast interconnected complex of museums and chapels housing centuries of artwork collected and managed by the Catholic Church.  From ancient Egyptian art to modern day sculptures, the Vatican Museums have it on display. The Vatican Museums do not permit flash photography in order to help preserve the art.  #1 Son took hundreds of non-flash photos during his tour and wanted to share his favorites with our readers.  They include some of the Museum’s most famous works including Michelangelo’s Pieta, a sculpture of Mary holding a dying Jesus.  It was completed in 1499. [...]

Rome’s Colosseum – Where Old Meets Older

 Posted by on March 5, 2012  2 Responses »
Mar 052012
 
Rome's Colosseum - Where Old Meets Older

When visiting Rome, old and new art and architecture are constantly juxtaposed with one another.  This is a city where the Modern Art Museum features art from the last two centuries and the age of buildings is measured is millenia.   No where is the contrast between old and older more apparent than during a visit to the Colosseum.  Completed in the year 80 AD, the Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre ever constructed by the ancient Roman Empire and is an engineering marvel.  #1 Son described it as the biggest, oldest man made building he has ever seen. Yet, despite its age, the Colosseum is surrounded by modern roads, cars, and of course, tourists!    #1 Son’s school group used the Roma Pass which for 30 euros covered city transportation for three days [...]

Rome’s Spanish Steps – A Teen Visitor’s Favorite Hang-out

 Posted by on February 28, 2012  1 Response »
Feb 282012
 
Rome's Spanish Steps - A Teen Visitor's Favorite Hang-out

#1 Son recently got back from his field trip to Rome.  Amid the endless museums, ruins and historic sites he and his friends had ample time to explore sections of Rome on their own.   For #1 Son, the area around Rome’s famous Spanish Steps quickly became the default destination to people watch, soak up Roman history and culture, shop and eat wicked good gelato! The 138 steep steps were built by the French in 1723-1725.  Their purpose was to connect the Spanish Embassy and the French Trinità dei Monti church at the top to the Holy See at the bottom.  The centerpiece of the piazza is a fountain called Fontana della Barcaccia (“Fountain of the Old Boat”), built in 1627-29 - just a few years after the Pilgrims held their first Thanksgiving in the New World.  It [...]