The Colosseum
Everywhere under Rome is an echo of the ancient world. They are trying to build a new subway line, but keep running into sculptures or other antiquities. The Colosseum is remarkably well-preserved, in spite of the iron structural elements having been scavenged. We stepped onto the stage as the gladiators did, and looked out at the seats that once held 60,000 (mostly drunken) spectators, then down into the cages below the stage that once held the fighting beasts. We then walked over to the excavation of the former Roman Forum, the center of social, commercial and political life. Little is left except for a building that became a church, but our excellent guide (all our local guides so far have been excellent) brought it to life with stories and pictures.
In the afternoon if was "arrivederci, Roma," as we headed north to Tuscany and the ancient and charming town of Volterra, where we had a Tuscan feast. We are eating very well.