Today its pry open the door and to enter and wake the history for us
with Francesa its into the modern Jewish ghetto, back to 1943, then into life in ancient Rome
Susanna introduced our local guide Francesca Caruso, while the Ponte Fabricio ancient stone bridge that dates to about 100 BC and overlooks the Tiber banks where Rome began 3000 years ago. The whisper system was great to listen with as Fransesca walked us into history. We past the Synagogue of Emancipation on its original site. In the Jewish Quarter we began with a revisit to an extremely difficult historical event period during WWII.
Francesca in Largo 16 Ottobre 1943 square, Jewish Quarter with just the hard facts of that date. Nazis make threat to send Jews to concentration camp in 24 hours unless 50 Kilos of gold is provided. The Jews and others provided the gold. Later the Nazis returned to take the Jews anyway to the death camps.
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Pausing we soaked in Teatro Di Marcello, a Roman theater thats fused with modern very expensive housing. The theater was in a complex that included structures. Portico of Octavia built by Emporor Augustus in 27 B.C. and replaced older portico of Metelles built in 146 B.C. We stood among many of the marble and granite columns, some still standing and other fallen pieces tha litter the grounds. The Romans had perfected the arch which allowed theaters to be constructed regardless of the landscape. The earlier Greeks built their theaters on hillsides for seating and viewing a production. Men and women and emporers performed in musicals. Today musical productions now use the stage area and fans sit on blankets on the hillside and often picnic during the performance.
Francesca lead our tour through the Capitoline Museum. Atop one of the historic seven hills of Rome, the Capitoline Museums are in Piazza del Campidoglio created by Michelangelo for Pope Paul III, who wanted a symbol to reestablish the status for a "New" Rome. The Pope's purpose was to direct attention for this huge civic center in the direction of Papal Rome and the Churches Saint Peter's Basilica; and away from the classic Roman Forum.