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)