Visiting the pope - Vatican City, Rome, Italy - 10 August 2007

The second day of my Rome trip, I went to the Vatican. It seemed the pope was not home, or not giving audience to sheep somehow. I know I'm not a Agnus Dei, just a normal Agnus. So it was obvious I could not see him.

But I saw the Saint Peter's Square, the Saint Peter Basilica, the Vatican Museums, the tombs. And lone lines of people standing in the hot sun waiting to enter the basilica, museums, crypts. Well. Very crowded.
But also very beautiful and impressive. I would not want to miss this!

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

Youssouf with a replica of a sheep statue in a shop of the Vatican Museums

I loved the Vatican museum, well actually museums. There are just short of a dozen of museums out there. Actually a bit too much to see. Hundreds of statues, fresco's, religious artefacts.. It's not easy to have full attention for all of them. Of course the Sistine Chapel was amazing.

A copper sculpture at the Cortille del Pigna (part of the Vatican Museums)

No Youssouf on this photo. I think I'm on a photo with a sculpture from the same artist in Milan. Have a look at that photo.

Overview of the Saint Peter's Square from the steps of Saint Peter's Basilica

I did not see the pope. But I had the most lovely sunny weather looking out over the square where all the people can sit on Sundays. The Saint Peter's Basilica is beautiful.

For more info see Saint Peter's Square on Wikipedia.

Monument of Victor Emmanuel II & Trevi Fountain - Rome, Italy - 9 August 2006

After some really ancient Roman sights, I headed for just as impressive, but more modern spots. There's too much to see in Rome. I just love it!

To see where these photo's were taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.


Youssouf at the National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II

The Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II (National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II) or Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland) or "Il Vittoriano" is a monument to honour Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy. It is located in Rome, Italy. It occupies a site between the Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill. The monument was designed by Giuseppe Sacconi in 1895. It was inaugurated in 1911 and completed in 1925.
See for more info Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II at Wikipedia.

At the Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain. One of the most famous - and most elaborately carved - fountains in the world. I did not toss a coin in the fountain. I did that before in 2004 and this was my return to Rome already! The legend says: toss a coin over your shoulder into the Trevi Fountain and you'll see Rome again.

For more info see Trevi Fountain at Wikipedia.

Ancient Rome, Italy - 9 August 2006

I stayed almost 3 weeks on Elba, so there was plenty of time for another excursion. Two days Rome!

I have been to Rome in December 2004.

The coin in the Trevi fountain worked! I was back. This time for a bigger tour.

To see where this photo was taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

In front of the Collosseum

Who doesn't know the Collosseum? One of the new seven world wonders. And Youssouf was there.

For more info see The Collosseum on Wikipedia.

Inside the Collosseum looking at the tiers

The inside of the Collosseum. Mighty impressive!

Inside the Collosseum, looking at the arena and hypogeum - Rome, Italy - 9 August 2006.

The arena itself was 83 metres by 48 metres (272 ft by 157 ft / 280 by 163 Roman feet).[2] It comprised a wooden floor covered by sand (the Latin word for sand is harena or arena), covering an elaborate underground structure called the hypogeum (literally meaning "underground"). Little now remains of the original arena floor, but the hypogeum is still clearly visible. It consisted of a two-level subterranean network of tunnels and cages beneath the arena where gladiators and animals were held before contests began. Eighty vertical shafts provided instant access to the arena for caged animals and scenery pieces concealed underneath; larger hinged platforms, called hegmata, provided access for elephants and the like. It was restructured on numerous occasions; at least twelve different phases of construction can be seen.
For more info see The Collosseum on Wikipedia.

Looking out over the Roman Forum (Forum Romanum)

I did not see ancient Romans somehow. But their Forum was still there. Covered with old buildings, ruins and temples.

For more info see Roman Forum on Wikipedia.

Going medieval in Florence (Italy) - 4 August 2006

The 1st till the 16th of August 2006 I went to the island of Elba, Italy. The island is reknown for the period that Napoleon Bonaparte lived there in exile. I made a one day trip to Florence and a two day trip to Rome. Unfortunately I did not take any pictures of me on Elba itself.

The daytrip to Florence was really excellent. So many renaissance buildings, really too much to see. Awesome!

To see where this photo was taken exactly, have a look at the interactive map and zoom in and out for a better overview.

View of Florence from the hill

On the other side of the river you can have an excellent view of the medieval Florence.

Michelangelo's statue David, in front of Palazzo Vecchio

At the Piazza della Signoria is a replica of Michelangelo's famous colossal statue David. It's right in front of the Palazzo Vecchio. An excellent masterpiece of Renaissance art.

Duomo of Florence; The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore

The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is the cathedral church (Duomo) of Florence, Italy. The basilica is notable for its dome designed by Brunelleschi its exterior facing of polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink bordered by white.

Il Duomo in Milan

In May I was in Milan for a few days. Of course I visited the famous dome, Il Duomo. The complete Duomo stood in the wharf, so the facade was not visible. So I climbed the roof of the church. It's beautiful. Hundreds of carved pinacles and a magnificent view of the city.

Pictures of Rome

As you might know, last December I went to Rome for a couple of days. And I promissed you some pictures.

So here it goes!

Of course I started the journey at Schiphol Airport (near Amsterdam).


There is so much to see in Rome. Way too much. And a small sheep like me always has to watch out for pickpockets (or sheeppockets) and those dangerous Roman scooters.

I am a sheep, I like to bounce, but the Roman espresso's (great stuff!) really made me bounce from ancient Roman pilar to medieval house to the next fountain.

Yeah. Fountains. They are all over the place. Every square has at least one of 'm. So, some fountain pictures!


Here I am at the Mascherone fountain in the Via Giulia. The total count of fountains will be high if they start calling public water taps fountains ;-)


You can't see much of the Forum Romanum, but I am there. Really. At night, on my way to discover the night life (which existed in my case of fountains by night).


This is one of the fountains at the Piazza Navona. The place to meet? Well, I did not meet any other sheep out there. So much for a meeting point...


The most famous fountain of Rome and perhaps even the world: the Trevi Fountain.
It is both enourmous and beautiful. All those detailed sculptured figures. Bigger than life size! A marvelous (or marbelous??) job!
I guess it is one of the most photographed fountains in the world. Millions of photo's are made of this photo? What makes this so special? Me! It is one of the very rare photo's of the Trevi fountain with a plush toy sheep. :-D