Cascade (AD 16) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE COLISEUM OF THE CAESARS Rome, the Eternal City, had the most historic and religious significance of any city visited. The ruins of the Forum and Coliseum brought to mind that here was the greatest civilization of the world; the home of the Caesars who for Cen- turies as dictators and by force ruled the world. The Coliseum also reminded us, together with the Catacombs, that here Christianity first struggled and finally flou- rished. As the years passed, the political Rome that tried to crush Christianity now THE STADIUM OF THE HUNDRED THOUSAND i 4 i

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PAUSE FOR A PRAYER Florence was not what could be consi- dered a typical liberty port. It ' s main attrac- tions were cultural, particularly its art trea- sures in which respect it was equal to Rome. Florentine art goes back to the 12th century and continues in prominence through the Renaissance period (16th Cent.) Even the architecture is distinctly its own differing from the production of neighboring artistic centers, such as Lucca and Pisa. It is in Florence that a good many of the works of Michelangelo are kept in the Medici Chapel. The Uffigi gallery houses many of the works of Dante and DeVinci. In all, there is a total of ten museums of art in Florence. The cathedrals and churches also contain many of the works of the masters. Because of its cultural value Florence was declared an open city during WWII, pre- serving all its cultural beauty. One of the main striking works of art in the Piazza Delia Sigroria, is the Pizza Forentain by Ammannati. In its midst is the gigantic figure of Neptune now popularly referred to as Whitey , on account of its proportions and the color of the marble. The Florence tour was in itself a world of cultural knowledge. VIEW OF FLORENCE FROM PIAZZALE MICHELANGELO • • r, i i i i i sfi ' iw ov

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ii w , - ' - Y jk Ci i ■O® i «© I so r i v» VITTORIO EMANUELE II MEMORIAL ST. PAUL embraced it and as Christianity grew in importance, so did Rome. Centuries later, as the center of the Renaissance period Rome again led the world, but this time by a peace- ful means. It appeared that everywhere we went, the works of Michelangelo and DeVinci were before us. To attest to the influence Rome holds as an attraction, today it was here we encountered the greatest number of tourists. As is true with any religion or nationality, art has always played a very important role in the design and decoration of churches and municipal buildings. This is true more of the Italian. Religious themes have been the subject for most of the works of the masters. As a result, the churches are intrinsically museums. And to- gether with the municipal buildings and many fountains, monuments of her past and an inspiration to her future. When we left Rome, we knew we had had an experience we would not soon forget, for we more fully appreciated Art, Culture and tradition. Rome, you have taught us all much.