This was a clever illusion that was set up in many of the tourist hangouts (with a bucket for donations).  The guy on the bottom appears to be holding up a big metal post as effortlessly as a coffee cup.  There is nothing between his sleeve and his lap to hold up the weight.  Balanced on the top of the post is a second man in a mediation pose.  He appears to be light as a feather.  Both are real men occasionally moving slightly or looking around at the passers by.  They would sit there for probably more than an hour.

Ponte Sant’Angelo is a bridge crossing the Tiber River in Rome, Italy.  It leads to Castel Sant’Angelo (which I talked about in my last post).  This was one of my favorite areas of Rome.

Ponte Sant’Angelo and more photo prints are available at brian.artistwebsites.com

Along the Tiber river in Rome is Castel Sant’Angelo.  The beginnings of this building began around 130 A.D..  It has had various uses over the years.  But, the one thing that stuck in my mind is this is the location for the setting of act 3 of Puccini’s Opera Tosca.  Tosca sings the beautiful area “Vissi D’Arte” and later throws herself from the roof of this castle.

Castel Sant’Angelo and more photo prints are available at brian.artistwebsites.com

The Vatican Museum was just filled with all the paintings, tapestries, mosaics, and statues you could ask for.  Each corner you turn offers another wealth of historic artwork.  But, entering this hallway was particularly stunning.  The whole length of this ceiling was painted, sculpted and nicely lit.

In the world’s smallest country of Vatican City, is the world’s largest church, St. Peter’s Basilica.  The dome (or cupola) at the top is as amazing as the rest of the church.  You can go up to the top by climbing more than 500 stairs and get a great panoramic view of Rome.  This is the view of the interior of the cupola.

St. Peter’s Cupola and more photo prints are available at brian.artistwebsites.com

People go to Rome to see the magnificent old structures – The Colosseum… The Forum.  But, a surprising bit of beauty was the sycamore trees lining the Tiber river.  Yellow leaves spill over the walk making a tunnel of old nature among the antiquities.

Tiber’s Sycamores and more photo prints are available at brian.artistwebsites.com