Orvieto, Yesterday's Class, and Ostia Antica Round 2.

Okay, so here are a few pictures from Orvieto:

This is what every other store looked like. I've never seen so much decorated, hand-painted pottery in my life.

I fell in love with this store -- handmade, wooden kitchen supplies! I bought three different kinds of spoons and a cutting board. One of the best decisions ever.

The Duomo in Orvieto.

While we were there, we did the underground cave tour and when we were walking to the side of the hill, this was the view. 

Etruscan underground caves. Apparently they are underneath the entire city and have been used since the 4th century BC.

Little bug on a beautiful flower. :)

I wouldn't mind living in the castle in the background.

Such a gorgeous view.

And here are some pictures from yesterday's class:

The columns inside the Church of Saint Mary of Angels and Martyrs are the original columns standing in their original places from the Baths of Diocletian. It looks like they end at the base, but really they extend another 6 feet below the church. Michelangelo added stucco to the "bottom" so it would appear as if they ended at the base. 

St. Peter's Basilica.

The baldacchino inside.

Selfie in a lookout window at the Castel Sant' Angelo.

The view from on top of the Castel Sant' Angelo.

 Today, we went back to Ostia Antica to look at some of the early cults that formed in Rome. 

The Temple of Hercules, most likely, with a statue of Gaius Cartilius, a mayor for Ostia who was elected eight times.

One meeting place of the cult of Mithras that met in an underground passageway under a bath complex.

The remains of one of the first Christian basilicas in Rome.