A Week in Rome: Treasure vault and lots of heads

On our last day in Rome, we had a bit of extra time, and the rain was coming down, so we dove into the closest museum to Termini station, The National Museum of Rome. Modest on the outside, the museum's modern interior features several levels of diverse attractions ranging from a massive fresco collection to a genuine treasure vault that would make any pirate drool. But first we must admire the discus man.

Well, maybe he is. Anyhow, the wide, spacious halls show off the statues in a minimalist elegance, in contrast to the palacial appointments of the Borghese Gallery (no pictures allowed, I'm afraid) or yesterday's Capitoline Museum.

The museum is in the final stages of a major renovation, but already interior walls have been opened up with glass, giving the museum an airy feel even on a rainy day.

If you are a student of ancient history, you may recognize this sarcophogis, with its relief of the Roman Senate. I remember this from one of my textbooks.

Homer is hanging around, making sure the Romans don't mess up any of his stories.

Of course, the museum also contains the requisite number of stairs, our final big climb of the trip.

At the top of those stairs is an exquisite fresco/mosaic exhibit, which requires reservations when you purchase your ticket. As we missed the last tour, we couldn't get in, and had to march all the way back down those many stairs. Not to be thwarted in our last attempt at fun, we decided to check out the basement.

Let's just say that Roman basements aren't like our basements. In Rome, the basements are full of millions of dollars worth of gold coins. I think that's what real estate people call a "finished" basement here in California. That would explain the prices around here.

Bank after bank of hundreds of gold, silver and bronze coins, tens of thousands in all, displayed behind thick glass. From ancient Rome through to today's Euro. Every era leaving its stamp on the money of Rome. Contemporary stained glass art is featured throughout showing the coin-making processes through the ages.

The collection's value is abundantly obvious, and although no armed guards can be seen, the doors are as thick as a Y2K shelter in Montana.

And this is yet another place in Rome where it's easy to get ahead.

Next installment: I wrap up the trip to Rome, with some weird pictures that we missed before. Coming later this month, Monterey, San Francisco, Northern Minnesota, and much more, as The Human goes into photo-overdrive.