Part of our daily walk to the bus took us through St Peter's Square, and the queue for the Vatican.
There are views of the Basilica all over the centre of Rome.
Statue of Neptune wrestling with an octopus (as you do), in the Piazza Navona.
Bernini's Fiumi Fountain in Piazza Navona, with Egyptian obelisk.
The obelisk Agonale, in front of the Sant'Agnes in Agone church, Piazza Navona.
Another obelisk, in the Piazza della Rotonda, with the Fontana del Pantheon below.
Fontana del Pantheon, with the Pantheon behind.
Fontana del Pantheon.
Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola. The dome isn't real; it was painted on. Very clever.
Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola.
Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola.
Sant'Ignazio doesn't have a dome, so they painted one on, a clever trick of the eye.
Religious diorama in Sant'Ignazio di Loyola.
The Trevi Fountain. Of course. Too busy.
Piazza della Minerva, with obelisk and Pantheon.
Focal points.
Obviously used to being photographed. Everybody loves horses.
Characteristic Stone Pines at the Circus Maximus.
This is what I really came to Rome to see. Ben Hur, anyone? Looking towards the Hemicycle of the Circus Maximus.
This thing is huge; with a bit of imagination you can see the stepped seating and the 150,000 spectators...
Part of the Circus Maximus was blocked off for a concert. It's still huge.
The Circus was very impressive in its heyday. Did I say it was huge?
Remains of the Triple Arch of Titus, which formed the ceremonial entrance at the Hemicycle of the Circus Maximus.
At the hemicycle of the Circus Maximus, with surviving substructure.
Inside the Hemicycle of the Circus Maximus.
Facilities at the Circus Maximus could be a little basic... this is a urinal.
Circus Maximus.
The Hemicycle of the Circus Maximus, with various marble pieces lying around.
Looking the length of the Circus Maximus from the medieval tower, which gives a good impression of the size.
Looking across the Tiber to the Castel Sant'Angelo beyond the Ponte Sant'Angelo.
At the Colosseum.
The Colosseum is a magnificent structure, but I have to confess it gives me the creeps.
Essentially a theatre of death, the Colosseum is a great feat of Roman engineering nevertheless.
We did our own thing without a guide, and were able to take our time.
Arch of Constantine, Meta Sudans, Via Sacra and Palatine hill from the Colosseum.
Temple of Venus and Rome from the Colosseum.
The subsurface Hypogeum, from which animals and the like were lifted to the arena by ingenious means.
Under the Arch of Titus at the entrance to the Roman Forum on the Via Sacra.
Looking across to the Forum from near the top of the Via Sacra.
In the House of the Vestals, the courtyard and pools.
The Atrium Vestae.
The remains of the Temple of Vesta.
Coins and other items where Julius Caesar was cremated, the Temple of the Divine Julius.
Temple of Antoninus and Faustina.
The Lacus Curtius has a few legends attached to it, involving drowning and the saving of the city. Marcus Curtius is the most heroic.
Temple of Saturn.
Overview of the Roman Forum.
Temples of Vespasian and Titus (left) and Saturn.
The Basilica Julia, with the three surviving columns of the Temple of Castor and Pollux.
View of the Basilica of Saint Peter from the Palatine; and a gull.
Oval pool on the Palatine Hill.
Domus Flavia on the Palatine Hill, barely a hint of the former white marble fountain of the Eliptical Nymphaeum.
Cenatio Iovis, Palatine Hill.
Palatine Rabbits.
Fiona on the Spanish Steps.
Bernini's low pressure Fontana della Barcaccia could do with a bit of tlc, as it's a bit grubby and there was litter in it. Nice enough.
Column of Marcus Aurelius, in imitation of that of Trajan.
Trajan's Forum.
My other favourite thing in Rome, Trajan's Column. There were always scenes from this in Latin textbooks and Roman histories.
Close view of part of Trajan's Column, showing the Testudo (tortoise) formation.
Another close view showing soldiers receiving medical attention.
The Altare della Patria seen across the Atheneum of Trajan.
The Forum and Markets of Trajan. Well worth a visit, if you can find the entrance!
Trajan's Markets, a remarkable building and a fine museum which allows close inspection of some beautiful carvings.
Trajan's Forum and Column.
Trajan, in front of his Markets.
Statue of Augustus, with the Forum of Augustus behind.
Le Colonnacce, freize of Minerva. This was the edge of the narrow Forum of Nerva, of which little survives.
Temple of Mars Ultor, centrepiece of the Forum of Augustus.
Forum of Augustus.
Partial reconstruction in the museum at Trajan's Markets.
Fiona with some big jars (amphorae).
Lots of big jars...
This fine little sculpture, of a poet, would fit easily in the palm of your hand.
Lovely coloured marble pool or bath, partially reconstructed.
Right foot of a lost bronze.
A view of the street on the upper level of Trajan's Markets.
Trajan's Markets, down at street level.
The ground level booths all had patterned mosaic floors.
Floor of another booth.
Much of the excellent carving detail would have been high above ground level, but all beautifully executed. These are common motifs.
Trajan's Markets.
More fine carving on this Griffon.
Other common Roman motifs, finely carved.
Fiona with a collection of unearthed marbles.
Fiona inside the Markets of Trajan. Lots of little rooms, probably administrative in function, rather than shops.
Looking down on the Forum and Markets from above.
View towards the Forum of Augustus.
Looking from the Markets' top level to the continuing excavation works, with the surviving three columns of the Temple of Venus Genetrix in the Forum of Julius Caesar across the road.
Taken through a window, but gives a good idea of the shape of Trajan's Markets and the enclosed public areas. Altare della Patria beyond.
The museum itself is housed in the Markets, and is a remarkable specimen in its own right.
A model of the Forum of Augustus and the Temple of Mars Ultor.
