Musei Capitolini

Today, we toured Musei Capitolini which are museums on one of Rome's 7 hills, this hill was Capitoline. We met Claudio and Ruggero at the UW Rome Center (UWRC) at 9:30 in the morning walked over to the 'musei', and as we approached you can see the incline of hill. We walked up this sort of ramp-stair thing, which apparently is made that way because in ancient times it was made so that aristocrats could ride their horses up the hill without dismounting. Walking up the elongated ramp-stairs, you realize that this was the very same entrance that visitors, emperors, enemies and everyone entered through. Two giant statues, who were two sons of Apollo, flanked the entrance at the top of hill. Then as you walk more, you're in Piazza Nuova with a huge replica of Marcus Aurelius mounted on his horse. 

The "ramp-stairs"

Finally we made it into the museum where we met our guide, Dottoressa Daniela. The most soft-spoken guide I've ever had in my life led us all through Roman history. We leapt through time, from The Republic time period to the Empire, where Rome was at its apex. I guess that's kind of how I feel about Rome when I explore around the city everyday. It's a city comprised of the old and new. We walked through buildings that have been rebuilt again and again after earthquakes or sieges or new rule - whatever reason there was to build a palace or monument, the Romans found one. It was surreal to pass through rooms and be face-to-face with famous statues or art work that I've only seen in my art history text books. 

We also some of the older ruins. It's so hard to imagine a Rome different from the Rome of today. A Rome where there was still grass, haha. And buildings didn't occupy every available space. A Rome where crumbled temples we see now were architectural feats that tower above even the tallest building today.

Then, after 3 hours of touring, we got lunch, caffe' and gelato in the caffetteria at the top of the museum, needless to say there was an amazing view...

After our 2 hour break, it was time for afternoon class: Ital 399 with Claudio, Italian culture through cinema and Ital 390, Corsa Roma - in which Ruggero teaches us about Roman history (he is a romano himself afterall). 

Ruggero and Dottoressa Daniela