Tag Archives: Italy

From the outside, the Basilica of Saint Mary Above Minerva in Rome, Italy is a rather plain looking building.  The basilica belongs to the Dominicans who began building the present structure in 1280 AD and completed it in 1370 AD.  … Continue reading →

The Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli (Saint Mary of the Altar of Heaven) stands atop the Capitoline Hill in Rome, Italy.  It is the dedicated church of the Roman City Council (Senatus Populusque Romanus, SPQR) and it stands next to … Continue reading →

The National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II (Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II) is a favorite subject of scorn in Rome, Italy but, apparently, people love to hate the monument.  Its gleaming white marble exterior can be seen for miles … Continue reading →

Most of the photos I took in Rome were taken in daylight.  For some reason, I didn’t have a strong urge to take photos at night, but places I visited in the day were transformed at night. The one place … Continue reading →

The Piazza del Quirinale in Rome, Italy lies atop the Quirinal Hill, the highest of the seven hills of Rome.  In the piazza stands an obelisk without hieroglyphics that was rescued from the Mausoleum of Augustus where it had broken into … Continue reading →

The Basilica of Santa Maria della Vittoria is located just across the street from the Moses Fountain in Rome, Italy.  The basilica is home to several notable sculptures The jewel of this basilica is Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s sculpture of The Ecstasy of … Continue reading →

The Fontana dell’Acqua Felice, better known as the Fountain of Moses, is a monumental fountain in Rome, Italy.  It forms the terminus of the Acqua Felice, one of the main aqueducts of Rome.  The fountain is modeled after the ancient … Continue reading →

The north and south sides of the Ara Pacis Augustae in Rome, Italy are difficult to photograph, mainly because the exterior walls of the structure are so close to the walls of the building that was built to enclose them.  However, nearby … Continue reading →

The east and west sides of the Ara Pacis Augustae in Rome, Italy each bears two main reliefs, although the reliefs themselves have survived to differing degrees.  The interpretation of the reliefs has been the subject of scholarly debate. The … Continue reading →

The Ara Pacis Augustae in Rome, Italy is an altar to peace was consecrated in 9 BC to celebrate the return of Emperor Augustus from Hispania and Gaul.  The detailed sculptures depict scenes of piety and reverence as well as … Continue reading →