All language subtitles for The.World.From.Above.S04E11.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DDP2.0.H.264-AlfaHD_track3_[eng]

(upbeat music)

- Our journey begins
in the province of Caserta,

where we explore a palace

that succeeded in rivaling Versailles

and continued an Italian tradition

of majestic water gardens.

Next we encounter some of Italy's ties

to the Second World War,

from the seaside town of Anzio

to an abbey in the mountains of Cassino.

Following the trail of
the ancient Appian Way,

we then enter Rome for an aerial excursion

over its ancient ruins and its
awe-inspiring architecture,

including the Colosseum, the Forum,

the Piazza Navona, and the Palatine Hill.

From one of the most
ancient cities in the world

to the most holy,

we visit the sacred
grounds of Vatican City.

We conclude our adventure
in the hills of Tivoli

with two palatial garden estates.

Our excursion to the
magnificent Caserta Palace,

constructed by Charles III
in the mid-18th century,

begins by exploring the
four kilometer-long garden

which stretches up to the hillside.

The park was designed by Caserta
architect Luigi Vantivelli

and completed by his son, Carlo, in 1780.

Comprised of a system of
Baroque water features,

the centerpiece is the Fountain of Aeolus,

an enormous promenade

that spans the entire 120 hectare estate.

Adjacent and towards the upper
end is the English Garden,

designed in 1782 in the English style,

a reaction to the formal
Italianate gardens of the time.

We cover the last segments of the Park

as it ascends from the Fountain
of Venus to its terminus

at the Great Fountain
atop of the promenade.

An aqueduct was built to
bring water to this grotto,

from where it then begins its
journey down the hillside.

The aqueduct is 38 kilometers long

and runs through five mountains,

keeping the waterfalls and other
features fully operational.

The water first cascades 150 meters

into the ornate basin
of the Great Fountain.

Here, we find famous sculptures

in the form of the Fountains of Diana

and, to the left, Actaeon,

which depicts the hero
transformed into a stag

as wolves prepare to tear him to pieces,

a penalty for gazing
at Diana as she bathed.

King Charles III wanted an estate

to rival Versailles and
Madrid's Royal Palace.

Although he never resided at Caserta,

the result of his vision was

what the World Heritage
Center deemed the swan song

of the spectacular art of the Baroque.

Caserta provided assembly
for its king, the court,

and the government.

The 1,200 room palace is rectangular

with four inner courtyards
covering 3,800 square meters.

We travel north up the coast
to the fishing town of Anzio.

Situated on the Lazio coast,

the port was a vital landing spot

for an attack by the Allied
Forces in World War II.

The plan was to drive through to Rome,

just 56 kilometers to the north,

to liberate it from German forces.

The ensuing battle left Anzio in ruins.

However, after the war, much
of the town was rebuilt,

and in such a way that kept
its fishing town character.

And set back from the coast
in the nearby town of Nettuno

is a poignant reminder
of the scale of fighting

that took place from 1943 to 1944.

This is the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery.

Rich in art, architecture,
and landscaping,

this vast World War II memorial
covers over 30 hectares.

Nearly 7,900 fallen American
troops are buried here

amongst the rows of Roman pines.

Most of the casualties were sustained

during the liberation of Sicily in 1943,

while other soldiers died in the landings

of Salerno and Anzio and the
heavy fighting northward.

We continue on to Cassino,

at the southern end of the Lazio region.

And it's here we catch the dramatic sight

of Monte Cassino Abbey.

Since its inception in the sixth century,

it has suffered terrible
fortune, repeatedly attacked,

pillaged, or ruined by natural disaster.

During World War II, the
German forces used it

as a stronghold, blocking access to Rome.

American-led air raids almost
completely destroyed it

in 1944 during the Allied
forces' Italian campaign.

The abbey, originally built
by St. Benedict in 529,

was reconstructed after the war

in its ancient architectural form,

and finally re-consecrated
by Pope Paul VI in 1964.

With relics from St.
Benedict and St. Scholastica,

tourists flock to the working monastery

to indulge themselves in
its historical importance

and its attractive architecture.

Our journey now takes us
to the town of Frascati,

where we encounter a
magnificent exhibition

of Papal extravagance,
the Villa Aldobrandini.

Set facing Rome, 20 kilometers away,

this dramatic building was
an ostentatious display

of the church's power and authority.

In 1600, Pope Clement VIII,

a member of the Aldobrandini
family, acquired this site,

gifting the property to
his nephew, a cardinal.

The highly ornate villa and
grounds were constructed

during the Baroque period,

at a time when Popes attempted
to outdo their predecessors

with shows of grandeur,

building palaces which reflected
their wealth and power.

This estate served a ceremonial function

for the Aldobrandinis

and was not used as a family residence.

During the Second World War,

there was significant damage to the Villa

after bombing destroyed
over half of the town.

Today it remains an architectural treasure

for its historical and
cultural significance.

The Appian Way was once
the most strategic road

of ancient Rome.

It's also the site of the crucifixion

of the gladiator Spartacus,

whose slave uprising
ended along this route.

It leads us to the eternal city

and capital of the ancient empire, Rome.

During his journey to Italy,

German novelist Johann
Wolfgang von Goethe wrote

that "only in Rome is it
possible to understand Rome."

We're now over the heart
of the Italian capital

and the River Tiber,
winding through the city

that has influenced the world politically

and socially for 2 1/2 thousand years.

And its importance lives on to this day

as the spiritual center

for the world's billion or so Catholics.

The splendor of Rome's ancient treasures

can be seen almost everywhere.

From the imposing Trajan's Column,

to the temples of the Republican period

dating back over two millennia.

They nestle effortlessly
amongst newer landmarks,

such as the Victor Emmanuel Monument.

One of the best preserved
structures is the mighty Pantheon,

the former temple to all
the gods of ancient Rome.

And nearby is the Piazza Navona,

arguably Rome's most beautiful square.

Once a fortified city,

the original walls can
still be seen today.

They date back to the third century,

erected around the seven hills of Rome

to protect against German invaders.

2/3 remain intact and well-preserved,

since they were used for defense

right up until the 19th century.

There were 18 grand
gates, such as this one,

known in ancient times as Porta Appia.

Flanked by two semi-circular towers,

it was later renamed Porta San Sebastiano.

The wall incorporated
many existing structures

like this Egyptian-style
pyramid built in 12 BC

as a tomb for Caius Cestius.

At the southeastern part
of the ancient district

are the red-brick ruins
of the Baths of Caracalla.

Completed in 217 AD, and
covering over 11 hectares,

the massive rooms were enjoyed
by Romans for over 300 years.

The complex was able to
accommodate up to 1,600 citizens,

providing not only bathing,
but a library, a gymnasium,

galleries, restaurants, and even brothels.

Today, it hosts the Rome Opera
company during the summer,

having staged the first concert
of the Three Tenors in 1990.

We arrive in the heart of the city

at the imposing and impressive Colosseum,

the largest building
constructed in the Roman Empire.

Despite its decay, it
remains a remarkable feat

of architecture and engineering.

The amphitheater held 50,000
spectators who assembled,

for no charge, in tiered
seating arrangements

that reflected the hierarchies
within Roman society.

Below ground were rooms that
contained mechanical devices

and cages for wild animals,

which could be lifted
to appear center stage.

Aiming to increase their popularity,

the Emperors would stage
fights to the death

between gladiators and animals

or simply between gladiators themselves.

It was made of concrete and stone,

yet originally clad in marble,
which was later incorporated

into the construction
of St. Peter's Basilica

and other landmark buildings.

In the present day,

visitors are allowed to view
the interior of the arena,

and, recently in 2010,

the subterranean passageways
were opened to the public.

The site is still used ceremoniously

by the Catholic Church on Good Friday,

as a starting point for
the torchlit procession led

by the Pope, known as
The Way of the Cross.

Although dwarfed in size by its neighbor,

the Arch of Constantine is not short

of historical significance.

One of three remaining
imperial triumphal arches,

the edifice commemorates
Constantine's victory

in a fourth century Civil War.

Ironically, the decorations
aren't as well-preserved

as those from earlier eras

and it's almost a symbol
for the eventual fall

of the Roman Empire.

We shift from the entertainment hub

to the center of Roman
public life at the Forum.

For over 1,000 years,

this rectangular plaza hosted elections,

Senate assemblies, and
triumphal processions.

The complex of ancient ruins
includes government buildings,

temples, arches, and basilicas,

giving the visitors some idea

of the Forum's original layout.

Perhaps no landmark in the
Forum remains as intact

and well-preserved as the
Arch of Septimus Severus.

Erected in 203 AD

to commemorate the Emperor's
victory in Parthia,

the structure originally
had a flight of stairs

running through the 12
meter high center passage.

The arch became property of
a church in the Middle Ages,

and unlike other monuments
such as the Colosseum,

its parts were protected

and not incorporated into new buildings.

According to legend, Rome's
founding dates back to 753 BC

when twin brothers Romulus and
Remus settled on this site,

marking the beginnings
of the Roman Kingdom.

Today, the Palatine Hill
is an open-air museum

containing ruins of
large imperial buildings,

such as the Palace of Septimus Severus.

During the Republican era,

the top of the Palatine Hill became

the exclusive residential area
for the rich and powerful,

not least for the amazing
vistas over the city.

Augustus, Cicero, and Marc
Antony all resided here.

One of Rome's modern landmarks is

the 18th century Spanish Steps,

connecting a piazza to a
16th century French church.

This symmetrical and elegant
structure has 12 flights

of stairs with total of 138 steps,

and is the widest staircase in Europe.

Nearby is the oval-shaped
square, Piazza del Popolo.

Tourists flock to see the
ancient Egyptian obelisk

in the center, but it
was the Porta del Popolo

that made an impression
upon those arriving

in the Renaissance era.

The large gate welcomed
pilgrims entering the city

along the Via Flaminia,

which connected Rome
to the Adriatic coast.

Another example of the
opulent palaces built

by wealthy families of
Popes is the Villa Borghese.

Situated on the outskirts of Rome

at the time of its construction,
it was built by a cardinal

who was the nephew of Pope Paul V,

and to this day showcases the
Borghese family's collection

of paintings, sculptures, and antiquities.

Erected during the late
renaissance in a classical style,

the Villa became a
publicly-owned gallery in 1902.

Heading towards Vatican City,

we stop first at Castel Sant'Angelo,

a national museum that
once stood as a refuge

for Popes facing an imminent threat.

Originally a mausoleum,
the castle was fortified

and incorporated into the Aurelian Wall,

transforming it into a Papal fortress

and luxurious residence.

Occupying less than
half a square kilometer

and completely encircled
by Rome is Vatican City.

It's the world's smallest country

and spiritual center for over
a billion Catholics worldwide.

St. Peter's Basilica was
built on Vatican Hill

as a shrine to St. Peter,
one of the 12 apostles

and considered the first Pope.

He died as a martyr and was
buried on the site in 64 AD.

Construction of the
present buildings commenced

in the early 1500s.

The greatest Italian
architects of the era spent

over 100 years building the new basilica,

and it was finally re-consecrated in 1626.

Although millions flock
to Vatican City each year,

it is home to only 800 residents.

Arguably the best panorama
of the Eternal City is

from the base of a giant
lantern that caps the oculus

atop the ribbed vault
of St. Peter's Basilica.

A masterful collaboration between
Bramante and Michelangelo,

the massive cupola has
a diameter of 42 meters

and rests on four huge pillars,

which support a cylindrical
drum that features 16 windows.

At a height of 136 meters,

this crowning piece is the
tallest dome in the world.

Such a magnificent and imposing structure

as St. Peter's would be incomplete

without a grandiose esplanade

to welcome those taking in its splendor.

The Baroque-style piazza was designed

by Bernini in the 17th century.

The elliptical circus

that slopes towards the
Egyptian obelisk at its center

is surrounded by massive
colonnades symbolizing

the Church's outstretched arms
greeting its communicants.

Bernini also sculpted
the 140 statues of saints

that perch on top of the
balustrades of each colonnade.

Historian Banister Fletcher
referred to the piazza

as the "greatest of all atriums

"before the greatest of all
churches in Christendom."

As we prepare to leave Rome,

we capture yet another fantastic approach

to viewing the city in the
form of a hot air balloon,

tethered about half a kilometer

above the beautiful Borghese gardens.

The vista is our last look
at the Italian capitol,

as we continue east into
the hills towards Tivoli.

We take a slight detour,
southeast of Rome,

to a sacred grotto in
the hills of Subiaco.

Built into the cliff on Mount Taleo

is this brown-hued stone
monastery that enshrines the cave,

deemed the Sacro Speco,

where St. Benedict lived as
a hermit for three years,

before organizing his
first monastic community

a few kilometers from here.

Most of the monastery's
Gothic style buildings

were constructed in the
13th and 14th centuries,

hundreds of years after
St. Benedict's lifetime.

The monastery is still active,

and open for visitors to pray and explore.

And tucked away is an
inconspicuous entrance

that leads to the holiest
place in the sanctuary.

This is the portal for the chapel

that contains the sacred
cave of St. Benedict

where he spent his hermitage in 500 AD.

Benedict, along with his
twin sister, St. Scholastica,

resided in the valley for 20 years,

founding 13 monasteries
and nunneries between them

before moving to Monte Cassino

to spend another two decades in service.

Resting among cypress and olive trees

in the ancient town of
Tivoli are the ruins

of the Villa Adriana,
a great complex built

as a summer retreat for Emperor Hadrian

in the early second century.

Excavations began in the 16th
century, revealing the remains

of some of the finest Roman architecture.

The grounds cover a vast
area of 120 hectares,

which included designs
inspired by Hadrian's travels

to Greece and Egypt,

like the Pecile, this
piazza with a central pool,

inspired by the Athens
landmark, Stoa Poikile.

In total there were over 30 buildings,

including palaces, baths, a theater,

temples, libraries, and living quarters.

The most ambitious creation was Canopus,

a sanctuary of the god Serapis

along the Nile's delta near Alexandria.

Designers crafted a canal
over 100 meters long

and this artificial
grotto called Serapeum.

Perhaps Hadrian's favorite
refuge was the Maritime Theatre,

a round pool with an island,
which contained a small house,

an atrium, baths, and a library.

Surrounded by columns in
a classic ionic style,

the theater is assumed
to be the private studio,

where Hadrian withdrew to indulge himself

in painting and architecture.

Our final destination brings
us to another palatial estate

in a series of extravagant
17th century villas,

in the hills that surround
the Roman Campagna.

These are the magnificent water gardens

of the Villa d'Este in Tivoli.

Tourists marvel at the clever irrigation

which feeds the 500
fountains and water displays,

integrated harmoniously into
the natural sloping landscape,

which covers an area of 4 1/2 hectares.

Very few gardens can
compare to the innovation

of the fountains and
basins of the Villa d'Este,

perhaps a reason why European gardens,

from Portugal to Poland, would be modeled

after the estate's landscaping,

such as this wall of water
called the Hundred Fountains.

Cardinal Ippolito d'Este built the villa

following a failed bid for the papacy,

desiring, in his own
words, a garden suitable

for "one of the wealthiest ecclesiastics

"of the 16th century."

The result were gardens that
blended ancient artistry

with a modern mannerist style,

creating an Italian oasis to
be treasured for centuries.

A perfect place to end this journey.

(upbeat music)

(whooshing)