Piazza Popolo	Piazza di Spagna The fountain near the Spanish Steps	The Spanish Steps	Trevi Fountain Plenty of people about	Piazza Colona A column, very similar to Trajan's Column, but later. Erected by Marcus Aurelius to honour Antoninus Pius.	Hadrian's Temple Piazza di Pietra. Remains of this important temple were incorporated into a newer building about 1880. The building now houses La Borsa (the Stock Exchange) and the Chamber of Commerce.

Sunday 15th July         

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We intended to explore again the Ancient Appian Way and then return to the Colosseum area. Instead we happened across a newer museum site The Crypta Balbi. This has been investigated and developed since 2000 and is now open to the public whilst some archaeological work still continues.  The building built by Lucius Cornelius in about 13BC and used to store and distribute corn supplies to the plebians. Later, under Marcus Aurelius, the distribution was of bread instead of corn and the building was not suitable and fell into disuse. The displays showed the changes in use of the building and surrounding area in later Roman times. The photographs do not decribe the building very well.

Crypta Balbi General view inside the building. Behind the wall to the right, in later times it was changed to a multi-seat latrine.	Crypta Balbi Further view of interior.

From the museum we walked round to Piazza Venezia and had a look at some Roman residential buildings just below the Capitoline Hill.

Roman Residential houses Modern notice indicating the houses.	Roman Residential houses General view	Roman Residential houses View down to Roman floor level, much lower than the modern level.	Roman Residential houses Close up of the front. Notice the remaining bits of marble cladding and ornamentation.

We had a look at the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument.  

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The Vittorio Emanuele II Monument View of ground level with Soldiers guarding monument and eternal flame.	The Vittorio Emanuele II Monument View from Monument towards Piazza Venezia	The Vittorio Emanuele II Monument View of upper part of monument.

We found a seat in the shade close to Trajan's Column and had a snack lunch. After a rest in the shade we continued along the Via dei Fori Imperiali to look at the various Forums.

Trajan's Column Describes the Emperor's Dacian campaigns.	Trajan's Markets Three storey semi-circular structure set into the Quirinal Hill.	Forum of Augustus The Temple of Mars Ultor.

We walked around behind the Forums and found the Museum of Trajan's Baths. This was behind and above the Forums. The museum is quite large and covers quite a few rooms on 2 or 3 floors. There was not enough descriptive material or exhibits to fully describe the function or size of the baths.

Trajan Baths Museum Vaulted Roof	Trajan Baths Museum Roadway within complex	Trajan Baths Museum View overlooking Markets area.	Trajan Baths Museum View overlooking Markets area.

We then walked back down to the Via dei Fori Imperiali and towards the Colosseum. On Sundays the road is kept clear of traffic until about 4.00pm.

Via dei Fori Imperiali Traffic free! Elaine with the Colosseum behind her.	Via dei Fori Imperiali Traffic free! Edwin with The Monument behind him..	The Colosseum

Monday 16th July                     

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We were due to return to UK on a late afternoon flight and so had a morning to see some more of Rome. We also had not thrown our coins in the fountain.

Hotel Room Elaine in the hotel room. Like most city centre hotels of 3 star or so, the room was just about big enough. The bathroom was quite new and quite good.	Trevi Fountain We we arrived at about 10.00am, the fountain was empty with workmen attending to some unknown tasks. Soon after, the water was turned on again to a cheer from the crowd.	Trevi Fountain Edwin in front of the fountain.	Trevi Fountain Elaine in front of the fountain.

We did find another visitor attraction or museum near to the Trevi Fountain that we shall undoubtedly visit next time we go to Rome. A couple of streets away is a subterranean museum showing areas around the fountain not normally seen. This will fit in well with a visit to the Crypt at St Peter's, which was closed this time, and a visit to the Necropolis of St Peter's which is also underground.

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