Viewmaster Booklet Reference Library by Mr Viewmaster
1600 Italy cc 1956
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Naples Tower of Pisa Canals of Venice Milan Cathedral Pope Pius XII Colloseum Mt Vesuvious Pompeii Blue Grotto Capri Lake Como Lake Maggiore Vatican City |
SCENES OF ITALY Locate each scene by number on the front page map. View-Master Reel 1600-A 1. These three columns were once the Temple of Castor and Pollux, Rome's bank and Bureau of Standards. The ruins before us are all that remain of the Roman Forum, the public meeting place of an ancient Rome that teemed with a population equal to that of the modern city (1,649,000). Here, 2000 years ago, from the marble speaker's platform, in sight of pillared temples, ornamented arches and shaded walks, and before Roman citizens clad in flowing togas, Cicero delivered his speeches, Brutus defended his assassination of Julius Caesar, and Marc Antony's words inflamed the populace. 2. Rome is a city of fountains; no other city in the world has as many or as beautiful ones. Three famous fountains stand in the Piazza Navona. This little square was a circus, or stadium, in A.D. 85, where St. Agnes suffered martyrdom. A miracle preserved the 13-year-old Christian from death by fire; a sword finally being used to end her life! 3. There is no better way to imagine the "grandeur that was Rome" than by seeing the Colosseum by evening light. When it was completed, A.D. 82, it was used as a marine stadium where mock naval battles were fought. Accounts state that the sailors used to rig a vast awning over the entire structure! The arena was of red sand which soaked up and concealed the blood of wild animals, gladiators, and martyrs that flowed here for the amusement of crowds. 4. St. Peter, the first Pope, was crucified, head down, not far from the Basilica that bears his name. It is the largest Catholic cathedral in the world, holding 100,000 worshippers. It is almost l/8th of a mile from the entrance to the apse where the original wooden chair of St. Peter has been built into an altar of ivory and gold. The great dome was designed by Michelangelo — some idea of its size can be gained from the fact that eight people could stand erect in the ball at the top of the dome. 5. The Vatican City is the world's smallest state. Its 108 acres, about the size of an 18-hole golf course, is protected by five honor Guards. Most colorful are the Swiss Guards founded by Julius II in 1505. Although they wear the costumes Michelangelo designed with the Medici colors, and carry ancient halberds, the Swiss Guards arethoroughly trained in modern fighting techniques, and form the personal bodyguard for the Pope. 6. "Viva il Papa!" shout the demonstrative Italians as Pope Pius XII, the 262nd successor to St. Peter, is carried into St. Peter's. In French and Italian, the Pope is "papa"; he is their father. The Pope, spiritual head of 470 million Roman Catholics, is elected, upon the death of his predecessor, in the Sistine Chapel which is adorned by the fresco masterpieces of Michelangelo. 7. Over a million Neapolitans crowd the lovely city that overlooks the blue waters of the Bay of Naples. They work in locomotive works and shipyards. ETC ETC |