The Basilica of St. Mary of the Altar of Heaven (Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara coeli al Campidoglio) is located on the highest summit of the Capitoline Hill. It is still the designated Church of the city council of Rome. (from Wikipedia)

Exiting the Basilica from the front, we catch a majestic view of the city and walk down the iconic staircase to the street.

Coming around into Piazza Venezia, we behold L’Altare della Patria (the Vittorio Emanuele II Monument), affectionately referred to by various segments of the population as the wedding cake, the birthday cake, the typewriter.

I’ve gone back to look whether or not my count was accurate. Did we really have five days in Rome? Perhaps I was counting the day we arrived, which was not technically a full day. But tomorrow we head north to Assisi and Florence.

Rolo B Castillo © 2014