Sant'Angelo Castle

We visited Castle Sant'Angelo the first night we were in Rome.   It started out as Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum in AD 139 .  Subsequently it has been part of Emperor Aurelian's city wall, a medieval citadel and prison, and as a residence for various Popes.  There is a secret passage from the Vatican to this Castle so that in times of danger the Pope could beat feet here.

GELATI = ice cream.  PANINI CALDI = cold sandwiches.

View of the Tiber river from the castle.

The next two pictures are of birds circling the trees outside the castle.  It was eerie.  We had never seen so many birds in one place.  You should have seen the cars underneath the trees.

Dad said that he heard that birds taking off at sunrise make that side of the earth lighter while birds landing at dark on the other side of the world make it heavier.  That's what makes the world spin.  Certainly enough birds landing here.

The next day we went to a Christmas market in Piazza Navona. 

What the guide book says and what we saw.

Then we got our pictures taken with Santa and his elves.

The discerning viewer will see that the elf girl is actually a guy and that my dad is not real happy about her (his) hand on his shoulder.

Isn't my mom cute in this picture.  We were having a great time.

Now go check out the Vatican!!.

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