
ITALY
Location - Western Europe; Capital - Rome; Population - 60 million; Currency - Euro MORE ITALY
After Monaco it was on to Genoa in north-west Italy, with a change of trains in Ventimiglia, in April 2010. Also scroll to the middle for photos of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
Italy is part of the Euro zone
Ventimiglia's old town lies across the river
The Piazza de Ferrari is Genoa's central square
The Carlo Felice Theatre lies in the background at the Piazza de Ferrari, Genoa
Also surrounding the Piazza de Ferrari is the Palazzo della Borsa, the former stock exchange - Genoa
The Piazza de Ferrari lies at the heart of Genoa
Connecting Piazza de Ferrari to the port is Via San Lorenzo - Genoa
Along Via San Lorenzo is the 12th century San Lorenzo Cathedral - Genoa
I liked the deserted sidestreets sprawling through Genoa's old town, punctuated by the odd bar and restaurant
Via XX Settembre is one of the main shopping streets in Genoa
Genoa is the birthplace of 15th century explorer Christopher Columbus and this building, at Piazza Dante, was one of his childhood homes - Genoa
There's lots of bars and restaurants in the old town at Piazza delle Erbe - Genoa
The streets of the centro storico (old town) - Genoa
Genoa's old port, Porto Antico.
You can see the Bigo panoramic lift rising.
The Porto Antico, Genoa
Porto Antico's website
Also in the Porto Antico is the Biosphere - Genoa
The Biosphere houses a rainforest ecosystem - Genoa
Looking down on the Porto Antico from inside the Bigo panoramic lift - Genoa
The Porto Antico was designed by architect Renzo Piano - Genoa
The Porto Antico, plus window reflection - Genoa
Genoa's waterfront and hills behind, from the panoramic lift
Close to the Porto Antico is this replica ship - Genoa
I think the (docked) ship was available for hire for functions - Genoa
The river Arno flows through the city of Pisa
The most famous sight in Pisa is the Torre Pendente, or Leaning Tower of Pisa
Construction of the Tower began in 1173 - Pisa
Even just looking at the bottom of the Tower, the lean is pretty obvious - Pisa
The top of the Leaning Tower is about 4 metres off perpendicular - Pisa
The Leaning Tower, from the steps of the cathedral - Pisa
The cathedral forms the centre of the Campo dei Miracoli (aka Piazza del Duomo) - Pisa
Souvenir stalls line the edge of the Campo dei Miracoli - Pisa
Wikipedia entry, with links to the Tower, cathedral and cemetery
Pisa's website
At the edge of the Campo dei Miracoli is the Camposanto cemetery - Pisa
Climb the Leaning Tower's steps for sweeping views of Pisa. In the foreground is the cathedral, leading to the Battistero (Baptistery) - Pisa
Looking down from the Leaning Tower - Pisa
The Spanish Steps are always busy with tourists - Rome
The café area of the Castel Sant'Angelo, built by Hadrian (the castle, not the cafe) - Rome
Birthday boy in the Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome
Looking out over Rome from the Castel Sant'Angelo.
Il Vittoriano is in the top left.
St Peter's Basilica through a café window in Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome
The atmospheric Trastevere quarter of Rome, loaded with bars, restaurants and cobbled streets
SOVEREIGN MILITARY ORDER OF MALTA
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is classed as a sovereign entity, and issues stamps, passports and currency. It also has permanent observer status at the United Nations, though it does not possess any territory (presumably its offices in Rome do not constitute such).
The Palazzo Malta is a building belonging to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta - Via dei Condotti, Rome
The Order's website
The flag of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
It was founded in Jerusalem around 1048 and became a society of knights who defended the Catholic faith. It then moved to Rhodes before arriving in Malta - Rome
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a sovereign subject of international law. The Order has its own government, an independent magistracy, diplomatic relations with over 100 countries and has Permanent Observer status at the United Nations - Rome
The Order also has its own constitution, passports, stamps and mints its own coins known as the Scudo (1 Scudo = 0.24 Euro) - Rome
Three Scudi and Two Tari dated 1968, Sovereign Military Order of Malta
I went in search of the Order's other building in Rome, on Aventine Hill, Rome. This isn't it.
The presence of the Italian army indicated I was close. The soldier is standing outside the church found opposite the Villa Malta - Rome
The Villa Malta hosts the embassy of the Order to the Holy See and also to Italy. I was wondering why so many people were fascinated with the keyhole - Rome
And this is why. Well almost.. - Rome
Through the keyhole of the Villa Malta. St Peter's Basilica through an arch of cypress trees - Rome
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta - Rome
Among other cities, the Order has an office in Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia
End of Sovereign Military Order of Malta - back to Rome..
Il Vittoriano is a colossal marble monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of a unifed Italy - Rome
The Colosseum looks fantastic at night - Rome
Piazza Navona is a very grand square that contains three famous fountains - Rome
Christina being serenaded by a saxophonist - Rome
This guy was really good - Rome
The courtyard of the 15th century palazzo that hosts the National Roman Museum - Rome
Piazza Campo de'Fiori is another busy square in central Rome
Out of the train station (pictured) and on to a coach to San Marino - Rimini
Website and content Copyright © 2008-2019 Mark Wilkinson. All rights reserved.
LINKS
www.enit.it
www.ferroviedellostato.it - Tren Italia's website; buy train tickets online
www.italia.it - Italian tourist board
www.italiandualcitizenship.net/all-about-italy-for-kids - Italy for kids
www.rome.info - Rome website
I am not responsible for the content of external websites.
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