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Gallery of Italy's treasures: Amalfi Coast, Blue Grotto, Trevi Fountain, Roman Pantheon, Roman ruins
by James Mayfield (Chairman, European Heritage Library)

Print this Article    •    About the Author    •    Bibliography/Sources

As is common infamy, southern Italy is a treasure horde of scenic galore, ancient ruins and temples, and proud monuments to Italian cultural and ethnic heritage. This gallery offers a photo gallery of a variety of monuments, sites and tourist destinations, famous buildings, the Blue Grotto and the Isle of Capri, Trevi Fountain, Roman ruins, the Amalfi Coast, Stromboli Volcano in Sicily, monuments to Italy's first king Vittorio Emmanuel, and a pre-Christian massive pantheonic dome converted into a Catholic church. in Rome and southern Italy. For pictures of other monuments like the Coliseum, Venice, etc. see the other articles in the Library.

 

Amalfi Coast:

The Amalfi coast is a magnificent and famous scenic drive along the coast of southern Italy with massive cliffs and crystal-blue waters adorned with vinyards and medieval coastal villages. The Emerald Grotto therein offers a larger yet less radiant cave system akin to the Blue Grotto at Capri.


the Amalfi coastline with massive cliffs atop crystal-blue waters. (click to enlarge)


Another photo of mine of the crystal-blue waters below massive lush mountains. (click to enlarge)


a gorgeous town along the Amalfi coast with a huge church in the background.


a church and housing area in Amalfi. (click to enlarge)


a typical Italian Amalfi coastal town from the medieval period. (click to enlarge)


Another photo of mine from the same village; flowers, vinyards, and lush greenery adorn every inch of the Amalfi coast.

The Blue Grotto/Isle of Capri:

The Blue Grotto is a natural phenomenon outside of Sorrento on the Isle of Capri in southern Italy with an intricate cavern system inside a mountain offering a bizarre opportunity to enter a crystal-blue shimmering cave through a tiny hole less than 4 feet tall. The neighboring mountain city of Capri -- with its famous funicolare tram system atop the hill -- offers a rich array of paintings, leather design, artwork, jewelry, and fantastic scenic views of the entire island covered in descending fog banks.


the beautiful Isle of Capri, where the Blue Grotto cave system resides. (click to enlarge)


Capri's famous funicolare rail system atop the cave-carved mountain.


Capri from atop the mountain. (click to enlarge)


the entrance tothe Blue Grotto cave system. Notice the chains that the boatmen must use to pull themselves into the tiny hole; passengers must lay entirely flat.


the main interior of the Blue Grotto.


the stunning blue crystal-clear waters of the Grotto.

Pre-Christian Pantheon of Rome converted into a church:

The Pantheon of Rome is a bizarre Athenian-like domed temple originally built in the 2nd century CE (shortly before Christianization of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great and Theodosius) to celebrate the glory of the Roman pantheon. After Christendom became compulsory, the temple was converted into a church. Its massive interior is reminiscent of the radiant 5th-century Hagia Sophia in Istanbul before its conversion to a mosque after the victory of the Turkish Jihad. Its location right in the center of modern Rome makes this ancient monument -- in near-perfect condition -- a worthy candidate of the status of a wonder. The interior offers a variety of purposes including a Catholic sermon section, a commemorative tomb to Vittorio Emmanuel II (Italy's first emperor), and an honor to the war-dead in Italy's many colonial wars in Africa (especially Ethiopia and Libya) and in both World Wars. It is incredible in its interior and exterior alike. The church is of course now the property of the Vatican.


the magnificent Pantheon right in the middle of town square. (click to enlarge)


the interior ancient domes of the church. A clear pagan style before Christendom indeed. (click to enlarge)


a glorious Catholic altar therein.


the commemorative tomb of Vittorio Emmanuel II, first king of Italy in the 19th century.


the Catholic sermon area in the church.


the commemorative tomb of Emperor Umberto.

Trevi Fountain:

The Trevi Fountain is one of Europe's most famous monuments and tourist destinations. Originally a major aqueduct source of Rome's water supply during the Roman period, Pope Urban VIII in the 17th century ordered for the aqueduct fountain to be adorned with a massive and intricate architectural design complete with stone, white marble, statues, and attractive fountain directional arrangements. The house behind it is one of the homes of the president of Italy after each inauguration. It is covered with tourists at all times of day.


Trevi Fountain from the side. (click to enlarge)


a close-up of the fountain from the center. (click to enlarge)

Stromboli Volcano, Sicily:

Stromboli volcano is a bizarrely unique site on one of Sicily's many northern islands near the Straight of Messina. Populated for centuries, a series of massive eruptions has caused the island to be entirely abandoned for the safety of its inhabitants. The fact that this island had quite a large and thriving fishing community with hundreds of homes is now abandoned is quite a stunning sight. Much of the island is bright lush green whilst the other is deep brown due to the volcanic activity. The island can be heard rumbling, and gas clouds emit from the peak all day long as seen below. Vents of steam also can be seen emitting from different parts of the shoreline of the volcanic island.


Stromboli volcano in Sicily from the distance. Local homes by the hundreds can be seen below, entirely abandoned. (click to enlarge)


Stromboli volcano close-up. The black smoke and gas clouds can be seen bursting from the volcano all day long. The dark clouds in the sky far above are actually from the volcano as well. (click to enlarge)

Monument to Italian Unification, Guiseppi, & Vittorio Emmanuel II:

In the center of Rome stands one of the world's largest modern monuments, a huge series of steps akin to an acropolis in commemoration to Italy's united statehood in the 19th century, to the unifying achievements of the Italian ethnocultural hero Giuseppe and Italy's first king Vittorio Emmanuel II, and to the thousands of war-dead Italian soldiers in Italy's many wars. The monument has soldiers standing motionlessly the entire day with halberds and firearms, others holding flags next to eternally-burning flames to signify the interminable Italian ethnic and historical heritage since the Roman Empire. Crosses are all over the monument, maintaining Italy as a non-secular culture to promote its strong Catholic links with its heritage and history. Atop the monument also lies a tomb of the unknown soldier for those missing in actions.


downtown Rome square next to the massive monument, with ancient Roman forums and medieval churches in background. (click to enlarge)


the main side of the massive monument. The horseman is Vittorio Emmanuel next to quadrigas of goddess statues. (click to enlarge)


a close-up view of the Vittorio Emmanuel monument. (click to enlarge)


the nearby local church for prayer.

Assorted Roman ruins:

Rome has an endless supply of Roman ruins directly in the middle of town next to modern restaurants and homes, offering more tourist sights than can be fully explored in a lifetime. Much construction and recovery work is in progress.


the ancient Roman forum of Trajan (2nd century), built after the conquest of the Thracian tribes of the Balkans and Dacia (today's Romania). (click to enlarge)


a massive bed of Roman ruins below the city. (click to enlarge)


more Roman ruins visible in the distance. Such sights are at every turn of the head in Rome. (click to enlarge)


a small Roman aqueduct and bridge to a Catholic church. (click to enlarge)

 

________________________________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

James Mayfield is the owner and Chairman of the European Heritage Library. I am working for a doctorate in history, with a specific emphasis on Islamic and European histories. I am well versed in all world cultures, ethnicities, religions, languages, politics, and historical evolution in relation to and against each other.

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY/SOURCES USED:

Personal photographs, observations.


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