Southern Italy (1916) Online

Southern Italy (1916) Online

Justine Shapiro begins her journey in Rome, the capital of Italy and the gateway to the south. She rents a scooter to get around and goes first to the Coliseum. This was the scene of some of the Roman Empire's bloodiest excesses. The first games were held here in 80 AD and lasted for 100 days and nights - enough time for 5000 animals to be slaughtered and 9000 gladiators to fight to the death. Next stop in Rome is Vatican City, the center of the Catholic Church and an independent state since 1929. At its heart is St Peter's Square and Basilica which was designed by Michelangelo in the 16th century. Leaving Rome, Justine catches a train south towards Naples, stopping first at Terracina and the hill town village of Bonito. Terracina is a fishing village and Justine arrives for the festival of the Madonna del Carmine. Every year the local fishermen and clergy and their families lead a procession in honor of those who have lost their lives at sea and to bless the waters for the ...