Arriving in Rome in the Afternoon

After leaving our tower in Umbria, we returned our car in a nearby town and took the local train back into Rome.  Don't drive in, or near, Rome.  Trust me.

We arrived in the afternoon and found our way to the AirBNB apartment that Cara reserved.  We could not ask for a better located spot, and the owner even supplied us with a bottle of Champagne to celebrate our wedding anniversary.  Pure class.

The View.

After a quick bite and some time to rest, we headed out and discovered that the Imperial Forum(s) were literally at the end of the street.  Although not what most people consider *the* forum (more later), they were built between 50 BC and 115 AD in an attempt by leaders of various times to show a continuation of the power held at the ancient forum.

Trajan's Forum (wiki page here). 

Trajan's Column celebrating the Dacian War victories (on the right) and Basilica Ulpia (center).  

Trajan's Column (see wiki here).

Looking from the "new" forum to the Piazza Venezia and Altare della Patria.

Quadriga on one side of the Piazza Venezia.

Vatican Museums up next time.

- B