Rome, part seven - Il Vittoriano, ruins, etc.

After Il Gesu, we continued our walking tower of Rome. Next brought us in front of Il Vittoriano in the Piazza Venezia. This is a more recent building, comparatively, than the ancient architecture we've been seeing. Started in 1885 and finished in 1911, it was built originally for the first King of the unified Italy. It was supposed to a bridging point, the combining of all the italian regions to create a new architecture and monument for Italy, but hasn't had the best reception from the country, getting derogatory nicknames like "wedding cake" and the "typewritter". The king was supposed to be buried here, but since his family didn't want him moved (he died before the building was completed), it remained empty until after WWI, when, instead, it become a monument to the unknown soldier.
Here are the soldiers standing guard at the front of the grave of the unknown soldier.

While the locals may not like it, I liked it at least for it's view of Rome. This is the Piazza Venezia, to the north.

...to the east, views of many of the ancient Roman ruins, including this view of the Trajan's Market.... and to the south, a view of more ruins and the Coliseum in the distance.
... tours get long... my friend Erin and I attempted to find make-shift seating while waiting.
The next part of our tour lead us to Piazza del Campidoglio on top of Capitoline Hill, which houses the three Museo Capitolini: Palazzo Nuovo, Palazzo Senatorio, and Palazzo dei Conservatori.

After going through the Santa Luca e Maritna church (unfortunately no pictures allowed), we moved along to see the some of the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum.
... the Arch of Septimius Severus.

... part of the Palatine Hill, the remains of the Temple of Saturn

... archways along the sides of the forum ruins. The stones lining the ground are made from volcanic rock, still the original pavings.
... the last few columns standing from the Temple of Castor and Pollux.
... overview of the Roman Forum.
... part of the site that is currently undergoing archeological excavations and studies.
After seeing the ruins, we were told to wait for our other professor who was going to come and give us another tour with "a surprise". ... don't we all look excited, after waiting more than an hour for the notoriously late teacher.

He finally showed up and we began our trek into a more secluded part of Rome. We had no idea where he was taking us (and I have my doubts if he really knew either). We ended up near the top of Aventine Hill. This is the door to the Santa Sabina basilica, one of the earliest examples of Byzantine architecture in Italy. These elaborately carved wooden doors are believed to be one of the oldest surviving piece of wooden sculpture, the originals for the church, dating back to the fifth century.

...inside the basilica.
... detail of the apse above the alter, originally all done in mosaics but later replaced by frescos.
... one of the side chapels, much more elaborately decorated than the center. This basilica is much more plain and simple than most basilica made later, showing the period of change from Roman forums to Christian churches.

... the windows at the front of the church
... one of the original floor mosaics.
Just outside was our "surprise". In a small garden next to the church, there was a place at the end that held an incredible view of all of Rome. While many in the class were a little bummed that the surprise wasn't gelato, I think we all agreed the view was pretty impressive.
...that's St. Peter's dome in the center far distance.

Here's most of my architecture class, (l-r) back row: Hudson, Maggie, Hannah, Lisa, Courtney B., Garrett, Taylor, Jennifer, Madalyn, Haley, Erin, Grace, Rob, John, and Connie; front row: Houston, Sarah, Matt, Patrick, Chris, and Kevin. (not here - Sarah R., Courtney R., Ryann, and Emily)