Igloos, Pyramids, Stone Windows and other interesting sights

Random pictures taken around Rome in the past few days

Structures on the Palatine Hill above Circus Maximus

                   Who knew we would find igloos in Rome??? - temporary structure being built to
                                             celebrate 150 years of Italian Postal Service

          A couple of nice black and white images of Pope John Paul II found in a

 church we happened on

                                                        Seen through an archway
                                
                                Plant life survives and thrives on the derelict outside of a building,

while inside human life does the same.

        Theater of Octavio, like the Colosseum, except this structure has been turned into living space

                                                           High above a courtyard

We walked through the doorway, bottom center, because people were coming

and going through it.  Nothing much to see, courtyard for a library,

but as we turned to go back out, this is what we saw

                 Handsome looking fellow - don't know who he is, but he reminds me of Shakespeare

                                                 Geraniums tumbling out of window boxes

                                                Down a narrow roadway - washing hanging out to dry

                 What do you think of this for a new porch light?  Makes a statement don't you think?!?
                            
                                 Fontana Tartuaghe - Fountain of the Turtles - found in a little Plaza
                            
                                                          Poppies and daisies among the ruins

Ancient graffiti on a 6th century church column

The pyramid was built about 18BC - 12BC as a tomb for Gaius Cestius, a magistrate and member of one of the four great religious corporations in Rome.  The work was completed,

in accordance with his will, in 330 days.   Anything Egyptian had become fashionable after

Rome had conquered Egypt in 30 BC,  hence the uncommon choice for a pyramidical tomb. 

Only three Egyptian pyramids - the main pyramids of Gizeh - are taller than this Roman imitation. 

                                   Instead of stained glass windows - St Paul Outside the Walls
                                       church has windows made of thin cut stone - beautiful

Nothing says "stay out" like a few well placed spikes!!