C'era una volta...: FORZA ITALIA!

I had an AWESOME week! My art history class went on 2 field studies: one to the Forums of Trajan & Augustus, and another to the Capitoline Museums. I really loved the Palazzo Nuovo of the Capitoline Museums. It's kept in the style in which it had been created, so you are able to view all the artwork just as it would've been viewed in the 18th century. A large chunk of my class is devoted to the study of the various restorations and "liberations" Mussolini commissioned in order to "show Rome to the Romans." The most ridiculous, in my opinion, was his construction of a brand new railway for Hitler's visit so that he could present him the city in the most regal -- well, Imperial -- fashion.

My internship is also going well! We are working on a campaign for Ignazio Marino, who is a surgeon turned politician, thus a substantial amount of his platform relates to science. So I've been researching different ways of presenting science education to the public so that it can retain comprehensibility, yet still be entertaining. Any ideas?!

The best part of the week was definitely Italy's victory over Germany on Thursday! 2-1, both goals being Balotellis'. His reaction was hilarious. He's one crazy fucker; if you don't believe me, check out this article: 20 Craziest Things Mario Balotelli Has Done. After the win, a group of us went to Piazza Venezia to celebrate along with quite a few other screaming Italian fans. The Piazza was so packed that the busses couldn't really get through and finish their routes. We saw one fan holding his Italian flag in front of the bus driver's window so he couldn't see, and then another guy got off the bus and promptly kicked his ass... BUT that was the only violence we saw that night; it was mainly just lots of honking car horns, people screaming "Forza Italia"/"Italia"/"Azzurri," sparklers, and SO MANY ITALIAN FLAGS! Everyone was so happy that Italy is headed to the finals (tonight!) against Spain. I can't wait to watch the Battle of the Babes 2012! Buona Fortuna! I'll be sporting my new Daniele de Rossi jersey!

Friday I continued my tour of Italian beaches (I've been to four now) and visited Sperlonga! It was gorgeous -- crystal clear, WARM waters. They had paddle boats with SLIDES that held about 5 people at a time that were only 10€/hour, so of course we got one! It was a blast :) We will definitely be returning (probably next weekend!).

Today a few of us girls went to the Trastevere Market, which is held every Sunday morning. Can you say SHOPPING?! We got sooo much stuff, and for great prices! I'm convinced I'm my mother's daughter because I'm becoming an expert haggler ;)

Well I have to go get ready for the game! FORZA ITALIA!

Ciao e divertite le mie foto! Baci!

Trajan's Column. Sixtus V replaced the broze statue of Trajan with one of St. Peter. The entire column was painted reliefs, and the weapons depicted were made of various metals so that it sparkled in the sunlight. It was believed to house Trajan's remains at one time (at the bottom of the column there is a doorway where one could enter). During the middle ages it was used as a church's (San Nicolo de Columna) bell tower.

Trajan's Forum. A product of an anystolosis project commissioned by Mussolini.

My professor actually makes fun of people who take pictures of this (it's located in the same area at the Forums of Trajan and Augustus) because it's actually just the medieval houses that had been destroyed during Mussolini's "scavamento" (mass excavation) of the area, thus it has nothing to do with Imperial times. Granted, you'd have no idea that they're meaningless because there is no sign or anything telling tourists; we were just lucky enough to be touring with a Roman professor!

The remains of Trajan's Forum.

Just one more view..

This monument underwent a visible damnation ad memoria. The central part, were a fascio littorio (the symbol of fascism that Mussolini actually wasn't responsible for creating [they were Imperial symbols of power and authority]; they were a bundle of oak [one of the strongest woods] rods and an ax all tied together with tri-colored ribbons) was, had obviously been chopped off after Mussolini's reign.

These statues were created to celebrate the glory of the Imperial times. However, Mussolini, being a conceited dictator and whatnot, related all dates back to fascism, so this date says "Anno XI" because it was created in the 11th year of his reign.

The full statue of Emperor Augustus.

The remains (only the NE side is left) of the Forum of Augustus.

Oh look, the Forum again! These columns are the remains of the Temple of Venus Genetrix, which had been a part of Caesar's Forum (the first private forum). This was the first Roman temple to feature an apse.

Column celebrating Fascism and the various restorations that Mussolini commissioned. His name is on the third line.

The Vittoriano (Wedding Cake Monument) is also known as the Unknown Soldier Monument. A mother had been asked to select from a bunch of unrecognizable bodies which one she thought to be her son, and he was placed inside the monument, here, under the bronze horse, to commemorate the unknown fallen soldiers of WWI.

This is where Mussolini established his office when he became Prime Minister under King Vittorio Emanuele III. He strategically chose this place because it was close to the Vittoriano (which is directly to the left of where this picture was taken), which was a strong symbol of Italian Unification and the new, secular governments power (since Italy had been ruled by the Papacy for centuries). The closeness of his office and the Vittoriano was Mussolini's way of comparing his power to that of King Vittorio Emanuele III. The slightly larger window is the Mussolini's famous balcony where he would often address the public. After the fall of Fascism, Piazza Venezia became a "non luogo" [no place], because it had been too closely associated with Mussolini's rule.

Hot Pink Fiat!!

Napolitana style pizza (thicker crust). I had their speciality, and it was DELICIOUS, probably the best pizza I've ever had.

Sweet graffiti in Garbatella. "Sei la mia favola" means "You are my fairytale."

Photo Credit: Jillian Zeidner

Fountain of love in Garbatella.

Photo Credit: Jillian Zeidner

This is the Head (and hand) of Constantine, which had been located in the Maxentius Basilica. It is an Acrolith, which is a patchwork of marble, bronze, travertine, etc.

The Capitoline Museums was having an exhibit of the Vatican Archives while we were there. This is one of the archives. GIANT! Just to put it into perspective, it was a good 8-10 textbooks thick; I'd hate to have to read that!

"Lo Spinario" (thorn-picker) statute. The legend goes that this boy was a messenger that was on his journey to delivery the message of a Roman victory, and he had a thorn in his foot that he refused to pick until after he had finished his duties. It's a symbol of the Roman courage and allegiance.

The Head of Medusa. It depicts her mid transformation, the moment in which she realized she was a victim of herself after seeing her hideous reflection. It is a metaphor for sculpting because artistis essential "petrify" their subjects like Medusa did.

An Imperial chariot. Badass, no?!

The famous Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius. He's depicted wearing a tunic, rather than warrior garb, portraying his as a philosopher and peacemaker.

Another view. It had been wrongly believed to be the image of Constantine, which was the main reason the Papacy had donated it to the Conservatori in an attempt to assert their supreme power. Not only was Constantine the "first" Christian emperor, but he was also responsible for the donation of the political and spiritual power of Rome to the Papacy -- although this document was actually just a forgery created by the Papacy...

Another acrolith of Constantine. The ball in the center is the world.

Me with the Shewolf, the mother of Rome -- well, one of the many.

Art History class by the Shewolf.
Photo Credit: Andrea Tocci

The infamous Shewolf statue. It was discovered fairly recently that this is actually a medieval copy. The twins, Romulus and Remus, were additions of the Renaissance after the statue was donated by the Papacy to the Conservatori in order to manipulate the meaning of the statue from a threatening symbol of Papal justice (it had originally been located where people were sentenced to death by the Papacy) to a symbol of the birth of Rome that all Romans could relate to.

Puppies!!! I miss Uffizi...

Remains of the podium of the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus located inside the Maxentius Exedra in the Conservatori.

Replica of what the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus would have looked like.

Little people to give you some perspective.. the part in the bottom right corner is a replica of the part pictured above.

Commodus, son (and Co-Emperor) of Marcus Aurelius. He was a bit... psycho. He thought he was Hercules reincarnated.

This documents the art donations of the Papacy to the Conservatori.

At the Tabularium, overlooking the Forum. The Tabularium was the official records office of Imperial Rome.

The Marforio in the courtyard of the Palazzo Nuovo, the first public museum in the world. This was also one of the many "talking statues" of Rome, where citizens voiced their political criticisms. Above the river god is a plaque commemorating the establishment of Palazzo Nuovo by Pope Clemens XII in the 17th century.

The Colosal statue of Mars.

Aries.

Believe it or not, this is actually a mosaic. You can't really tell from the picture, but its thousands of tiny little tiles placed together to create this image. I bet that took awhile.

Yup, this one too, also a mosaic!

This isolated statue of Venus is placed in a room that imitates an ancient Roman bath.

Close up of the Venus Pudica (Venus, the Modest). She is called this because she is depicted covering herself as she comes out of a bath. It's made of Parian Marble, one of the rarest marbles.

The busts of Augustus (far left).

La Sala dei Imperatori (The Hall of the Emperors)... and my classmate, Michelangelo.

That's green alabaster, one of the rarest sculpting stones in the world. Gorgeous.

Check out that forceful gave. That furrowed brow would give Edward Cullen a run for his money.

Emperor Nero: an ugly ginger who was responsible for the Great Fire of Rome.

The many faces of Homer (bottom three) in the Hall of the Philosophers.

Statue of Baby Hercules, AKA the ugliest, creepiest statue I have ever seen...

Asclepius, the God of Medicine, thus the snake. We learned that the snake is the symbol of medicine because when they moult/shed their skin it's similar to the transformation from sickness to health.

Principe Galata Ferito, dying Gaul. This is one of the key pieces in the Palazzo Nuovo.

Close-up. Check out that ancient David Yurman necklace :P

Every girl needs a dog :)

OMG I WANT THIS SO BAD! Christmas present?!

[Left to Right] Kristin, Andrea, Pasquale, Michelle, Me & Jessica in Piazza Venezia after Italy kicked germany's ass in the 2012 EuroCup Semi-Final.

Michelle was given a flag by some Italian guy on our bus ride to the Piazza. We were pretty much forced to get off thee because the streets were so full of people partying.

Soooo many flags everywhere.

WE'RE GOING TO THE FINALS!

Michelle & I with her flag. The Vittoriano is in the background.

FORZA ITALIA!

HAH, love this. All the Pringles here are called "Pringooooals," and this was a special EuroCup edition, thus the "Forza Azzurri" (Azzurri is what the Italians call the team, it means "blues," because of their blue jerseys).

Loved his wig; too funny.

...But not quite as funny as this guy's pants! HAH

Us girls in front of the Vittoriano.

Kristin & I. Tall Girls Unite!

We decided Buffon kicked so much ass because Andrea wore his jersey. Then on her trip to grab some gelato, she was given a flag from some Italian guy. She couldn't have been happier.

Piazza Trilussa. Check out that crowd!

Andrea & I at Piazza Trelusa enjoying the festivities.

The lucky ladies who got flags!

Andrea being a true, flag-waving Italian.

I got the BIGGEST flag! Just kidding, I only borrowed it.

Can't wait to watch the final game on Sunday. An Italy vs. Spain Showdown! Battle of the Babes!

Sperlonga! One of my new favorite beaches. [Left to Right] Jessica, Hellen, Me, Jillian, Kelly, Andrea, & Kristin.

Our first successful jumping picture!

Jessica & I are catching up to the others' tans!

FUNNEST THING EVER! Paddle boat equipped a SLIDE!

Picture break while walking up the hill to see the city.

Welcome to Paradise...

Me, Fondente (dark chocolate gelato), and the beach: I'd call that Perfection.

There were so many gorgeous flowers everywhere.

I will definitely be returning to Sperlonga before this trip is over.

Jillian & I cheesin'.

The city.

I love the mixture of beach and mountains, so beautiful.

The water was crystal clear.

We kept trying to figure out what this random building on the edge of the cliff was. We looked inside and it was empty. An abandoned church maybe?
Photo Credit: Helen Mittmann