At over 2, 500 years old, Rome is more than the capital of Italy. It is the center of artistic creativity and a cultural complex that arguably outstrips any other location on earth. Ancient monuments like the Colosseum continue to capture our attention while institutions like the Vatican Museums spur intellectual interest. The heartbeat of Rome is found in every traveler’s soul. The rushing crowds on the main avenues can be left behind by ducking down a side street. After a block or two, enter one of the small neighborhood streets where children play ball and the splash of fountains echoes against the buildings. From Aventine Hill to St. Peter’s Basilica, from the banks of the Tiber to the Aniene, Rome is a kaleidoscopic journey through time. Its history encompasses the Roman Empire, founded on the Seven Hills, and the center of the Catholic Church. Spectacular vacations and multiple trips are on the minds of every traveler who wants to explore the best of Europe. Visitors to Italy can expand their knowledge base with an artist’s view of the ancient city of Rome. The color photos in Ruins of Rome I & II were taken at Palazzo Senatorio, Saint Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City, Via della Conciliazione, the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum, the Pantheon, San Paolo fuori le mura, Piazza del Popolo, Villa Borghese, various obelisks, and other sites. Step into this whirling place and become absorbed by its vibrant heart. Laine Cunningham, a three-time recipient of The Hackney Award, writes fiction that takes readers around the world. Her debut novel, The Family Made of Dust, is set in the Australian Outback, while Reparation is a novel of the American Great Plains. She is the editor of Sunspot Literary Journal. | Ruins of Rome I by Laine Cunningham, Paperback | Indigo Chapters