Day 66.

Another busy day in Rome, or actually outside of Rome as I've been to Tivoli visiting the Villa of Hadrian and Villa d'este. I could easily post a hundred pictures from today but you will have to live with five!



The very famous Maritime Theater, one of the many fabulous places in the villa. I might add that the villa probably is as big as Herculaneum.


A beautiful column.


A (medieval?) castle in Tivoli that I passed by randomly.


Things were very much different 500 years ago. Priests weren't supposed to be humble, just look at this private waterfall in the garden of Villa d'este at Tivoli, build by a cardinal.


A painting (one of many, many, many) in the same villa. No expense saved. Notice that it's depicting Hercules as a "warrior" in the front scene and a herdsman in the background scene. The later is a ancient interpretation of Hercules, which was very strong in Tivoli.

Day 65.

Today I've followed the Via Tiburtina from Tivoli to Rome, taking a a special look at some sites.



A church next to the Aqua Alexandrina built to celebrate the jubilee year 2000 (and to give the area a new church).


The inside of the church.


The Augustan gate in the republican walls where the Via Tiburtina comes in to the city. Unfortunately is only one out of three vaults preserved.

Day 64.

I thought that it would be time for something new today and went out to get some good sunset shots. I hope that you like them!

Day 63.

Another beautiful day in Rome. I've had the great pleasure to see a lecture on the mathematics of Cicero, Varro and Vitruvius, followed by a walk to the Piazza del Popolo to see the fotball fans. Crazy lot.

There was also a vernisage at the Romanian academy (Day 7) where Amanda, a young lady from the Swedish institute, is showing her work.


Amanda's trees. Absolutely beautiful!

Day 62.

It's been a long but awesome day. I started off by going to the Swedish embassy to vote (The European elections) and then went on a spontaneous excursion to EUR to spend some time among the fascists remains.

Arriving at the institute about 30 seconds before our lecture started I sat down and stared taking notes and 13 min after the lecture we went to see the Priscilla catacombs. No pictures from that site though as the nuns very friendly asked us not to.

To see some more Fascist monuments in Rome take a look at day 50 and 44.


This is fascist building which soon got known as the Colosseo Quadrato due to it's unusual shape. It was originally planned to hold statues in every niche of great Italian and Roman leaders something which was cancelled with the fall of the fascists.


A relief depicting great moments in the history of Rome. Notice Romelus and Remus in the top left corner, Caesar on a horse, Augustus in the center, Titus and the spoils of Jerusalem (the Menorah, the seven armed Jewish candelabra), the church state, and at last the glorious (?) rule of Mussolini himself.



A obelisk, not a monolith lite this one but yet.

Day 61.

Another hot day in Rome. The temperature was at 37 degrees C 11 am, but I had the distinct feeling that it was way hotter 3 hours later in the Forum.


Champions league is, as you may know, coming to an end for the year. The final game is in two days, I can't wait!


The Vittorio Emanuele monument should be recognized by anyone who have followed this blog for some time now. Here's a night shot of the building from day 52 and a day shot from day 9, complemented by a close up on the Italian flag.


The view of the Corso. This is where the old Roman Flaminia would go through the city towards the Capitoline hill.

Day 60.

Hard as it is to believe, my stay in Rome is coming to an end rather soon (two weeks). Up until today I have not thought my about when I am to go home, it seemed to be far away but it stuck me today. Oh well, two weeks left, I'll live!

Anywway I've visited the Museo Altemps today, one of Rome's four National Museums.


A male statue, possibly a bachant (Bacchus worshipper). Notice the gold on his hand.


Reminding you of something? It could be this picture from day 56.


Romans conquering barbarians in battle, another sarcophagus. You can notice the similaraties to this one at the Palazzo Massimo which I visited day 24 & 51.


The chapel of the Museo Altemps.


A greek (?) depiction of Aphrodite. The classical museum of Lund used to have a copy of this.


This is what I call hard living! What a job!

Day 59.

I decided to take a slow day after the bbq yesterday nigh (Nope, I wasn't very sober when posting last nights picture). I managed to finish my paper though which is great.


Etruscan wine, our very local favourite. Elisabeth would love this.

Day 58.

Not very much exciting today. We've had a seminar on the Roman city (sanitation), a friend have helped me with my Latin which that I am most grateful for and I've been at a barbecue at the Danish institute.


So... Pregnant women shouldn't drink gin? Alcohol being bad for babies? I had no idea. Sights...

Day 57.

It's getting hotter and hotter here. The local news warn elderly and young people that the heat may be too much tomorrow. Anyway, heat or not, we've been to Augustus forum today. I may mention that this is an area, strictly off limit to the public for those who don't know anything about it, constructed by Augustus between 42 and 2 BC. It was focused on a great temple to Mars Ultor, Mars the avenger, as it was vowed at the eve of the battle against the killers of Caesar.



The temple of Mars Ultor. It seems much larger from the forum floor where was meant to be seen than from the Foro Imperiale where you see it today.


Prossima fermata, station Bernini, fontana di Trevi, Bachita lato destro. Also known as 'closing in on the Bernini, Fontna di Trevi station, leave the train at the right side', this is the first Italian I ever knew. This picture is from the Piazza de Bernini where you find yourself when leaving the metro at this station.


A picture dedicated to bragging. Compare it with this shot fromday 10. Notice that I am at the ground level this time! (The other is still a better shot though)

Day 56.

Another beautiful day in Ostia. I can never get enough of the site, but I believe that I've seen most of the important stuff now! Here's a sample and I might warn you, this contain some strong pictures that might shock you! You will find more pictures from Ostia at day 55, 46, and 45.


One of the many Mithradeum in Ostia, this one is found behind/below the Baths of Mitheras (Fantastic fantasy when naming that place. Mitheras was an eastern god connected to seven spheres and the cult was open only to men and mainly involved sharing meals and ritual sacrifice of bulls.


The Casa delle Volte Dipinte, the house of the painted vaults. This is one of the best preserved buildings in Ostia and you need a permit to go in.


Roses in the ruins, close to the ancient seafront.


Well this was found in a bar and is supposed to depict a female (?) dancer. I have no idea what so ever why anyone would want this picture in a bar.


This mosaic was found in the Garden House, a large Hadrian (117-138 AD) domestic complex, much like modern apartments. Curiously enough this is the only mosaic found in the large open area around the houses and nobody knows why.

Day 55.

Ostia. I can't help but to love that site.


The Domus della Fortuna Annonaria, a late roman upper class house, view from the dining room.


One of the many bakeries with mills in Ostia. A common sight in all well preserved Roman cities. Notice the difference in the colour of the grass only since day 45 & day 46.


Rome was mightier, marble shinier and fish uglier back in the days!

Day 54.

It's getting hot here in Rome now. Very, very hot and it's lovely. anyway today have been spent at the Forum Romanum and we, among much else, visited the Santa Maria Antiqua church from the 6th century AD.


The peristyle of the vestal house, decorated with flowers. Beautiful.


A fresco from the Santa Maria Antiqua with the first depiction of the holy virgin and the child that we know of.

Day 53.

Slow Sundays are well known and today have surly been one. There's hardly anyone around today!


It's a lovely park, now isn't it?

Day 52.

This will be a very short post as I'm tired and probably got a fever (quite a bad one as well). Anyway I went out for "la notte dei museo" just to notice that there was a 2 hour queue to everything.


The Vittorio Emanuele monument at night.

Day 51.

Another day, another museum - Palazzo Massimo. You may recall that I visited this museum a few weeks ago, if you want to see some further pictures you'll find them here.


From the Villa of Livia, a part of the same fresco that I posted earlier, that shot can be found here. Also notice the resemblance to one of the frescoes at the Villa Opplontis that I posted day 29.


From a bath situated just outside the central station in Rome.


A beautiful fresco that I found at the museum.

Day 50.

50 days in Rome? It simply can't be true, it feels like a week and there's still something new behind every corner. Anyway last night was spent at the Swizz institute, I went to bed rather late unfortunately as I had to get up at 8 this morning to visit the Museo della civalte Romana. Most people dislike it as it's an old exhibition, clearly influenced by fascist propaganda but I see great potential in it and believe that it could be stunning if someone would try to take better care of it.


The monumental colonnade that link the two museum buildings.


One of the major pieces at the museum is a copy of the column of Trajanus that I posted The ninth day here. I very much recommend the larger version of this picture however. Here's a brief description of the different scenes.


A model of the Colosseum that correspond nicely with one of my earlier shots from day 10.

Day 49.

Trajans market, Fontana di Trevi, the Spanish stairs, The Aqua Virgo - I've seen a lit today and now I'm off a dinner at the Swizz institute. Can't wait. Here's today's pictures though!


A capital, that would be, the top part of a column or pillar. This should be from the Forum of Augustus, seen in Trajan's market today.



Rome. This view never makes me bored even as I see it every second day. Notice the Vatican in the far centre.

Day 48.

I've been to the Ara Pacis today, a wonderful but very debated monument and museum. Anyway there are a million pictures of the altar on the net so to not bore you, I'll only post a sample of the the very small detailed animals that I've found in the vegetation relief. More pictures will surely come sooner or later when I've got more time on my hands.

Day 47.

Another day in the library, completed with a walk in the valley of the dogs (not a joke)and a drink close to the Spanish stairs. I have great hope about tomorrow though as I'm going to see the Ara Pacis!



The Valley of the Dogs. If there is such a thing as reincarnation and if I'm reborn as a dog, this is where I want to spend my life!


Hopefully I'll be as happy as these fellows!


This is how the Italy and southern France will look in my mind forever. I cannot explain how much I enjoy this shot!