Rome Geography

Initially, I though I might describe this trip in terms of the seven hills of Rome. But, as Tom pointed out, few would have any idea of what those geographical areas meant. So instead, I'll present this trip in a very Chicago way, by "neighborhood." Many of the neighborhoods are defined by their ancient hills, but not all (such as the areas along the Tiber).

For the record, the seven hills are Capitoline (center of Rome), Palatine (center of historical residences), Esquiline (suburra, where we stayed), Quirinal (home of government), Viminale (the fancy "North Side" or Via Veneto), Aventine (high-end residential), and Celios (far southside).

The Forum areas and the Colosseum are in the valley between the Capitoline, Palatine, Esquiline, and Aventine. Our apartment was near the top of the Esquiline hill, and as we walked down Via Giovanni Lanza, which merged into Via Cavour, we saw incredible views of the Colosseum and the Forum.

The Geography of Rome
Initially, I though I might describe this trip in terms of the seven hills of Rome. But, as Tom pointed out, few would have any idea of what those geographical areas meant. So instead, I'll present this trip in a very Chicago way, by "neighborhood." Many of the neighborhoods are defined by their ancient hills, but not all (such as the areas along the Tiber). For the record, the seven hills are Capitoline (center of Rome), Palatine (center of historical residences), Esquiline (suburra, where we stayed), Quirinal (home of government), Viminale (the fancy "North Side" or Via Veneto), Aventine (high-end residential), and Celios (far southside). The Forum areas and the Colosseum are in the valley between the Capitoline, Palatine, Esquiline, and Aventine. Our apartment was near the top of the Esquiline hill, and as we walked down Via Giovanni Lanza, which merged into Via Cavour, we saw incredible views of the Colosseum and the Forum.
	And you never escape the history. The ruins of the Colosseum, the Forum, the Capitoline, the Palatine hill, the never-ending churches. Walk down any street, any block, and you find yourself saying, "I've seen pictures of that somewhere before."
And whenever we went walking, at the foot of the hill, there was always the Colosseum. Massive (bigger than you think), majestic, glorious.