Pompeii

It all happened in AD 79 when the ashes of Mount Vesuvius covered Pompeii completely and killed most of its inhabitants. Although it was discovered in the 16th century, excavation works only began in the 17th century.  Today Pompeii is the best preserved example of a Roman city.

Via dell Abbondanza

White quartz was placed between the rocks to illuminate the road at night

( like cat's eye)

Long Live Pompeii!

Pompeii has been a tourist destination for over 250 years. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Naples

We stopped for lunch in Naples. We were able to see Piazza Plebiscito. 

Castel Nuovo

Piazza Plebiscito in front of Basilica San Francesco di Poala

Palazzo Reale

Rome : Day 3

We got up early today to go to Pompeii. Then we will spend two nights in Sorrento before coming back to Rome.

Dinner at Trattoria Alla Lupa

We had our dinner near the hotel after coming back to Rome.

Penne Bolognese

(first course)

Penne Bolognese

Mine was Spaghetti Bolognese

Roast Chicken and salad

Roast Chicken

Coffee and Gelato for dessert

We sat outside on the pavement

Basilica di San Francesco

Construction of this church began in 1228, two years after the death of St Francis. The church consists  of two levels, the upper church and the lower church and an underground crypt housing the tomb of the saint.

Pope Francis visited the church early this month.

The place was packed. Luckily we were there first

I took the following pictures from the internet as no photography is allowed inside the church. This would give you an idea of how beautiful it is.

The Birth of St Francis

The Renunciation

Assisi : walkabout

These pictures were taken during the town walkabout. We started from  Basilica di Santa Chiara  in the east to Basilica di San Francesco in the west. This has the advantage of walking down hill instead of up.

Portable receiver and earphone

Piazza del Comune (Town Hall Square)

This is the centre of the town

Santa Maria sopra Minerva

The Temple of Minerva was built in the 1st century BC by the Romans. When paganism lost favour in the 4th to 5th centuries the temple was abandoned and this church was built over it.

The six splendid Corinthian columns and the entire Roman façade are still intact after over 2,000 years.