The capital of Italy is Rome, or Roma with 2.7 million residents.

The Rome Metro (often simply called Metropolitana by residents) was opened in 1955.

Compared to other European capitals, Rome's subway is less developed. Being one of the oldest cities in the world, the construction of the subway encountered a lot of difficulties. In fact, the city of Rome is built upon a labyrinth of tunnels, catacombs, vaults, and ancient sewer systems.

There are long mosaic panels throughout the subway’s passageways.

Rome's metro is also less attractive than most European mass transit systems, many of which are known for their elegance.

Rome's stations are drab and utilitarian, and many trains have every inch covered in graffiti.

The city of Budapest is located alongside the Danube, in the heart of the Carpathian basin.

The Budapest Metro was inaugurated on May 2, 1896; thus, it is the second oldest subway system in the world.

The original purpose of the first metro line was to facilitate transportation to the Budapest City Park.

 
Above is Andrassy Avenue, which became one of the most elegant roads in Budapest.It was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO along with the banks of the Danube and the Buda Castle Quarter in 1987.

Near the Deák Ferenc tér station there's a small museum for the Budapest underground system.
It was set up in an abandoned section of the MillFAV tunnel, which was cut off in 1955, when the construction works for the second subway line started.

Here we have an entrance to the "Millennium Line" subway at Vörösmarty Square, just outside the famed Cafe Gerbeaud.

This is not part of their subway system, but an interesting shot of the Budapest Castle Hill Funicular.

The Berlin U-Bahn (underground railway) opened in 1902.

Pictured here is a train entering the Spittelmarkt station in 1908.

During the Second World War, U-Bahn travel soared as car use fell, and many of the underground stations were used as air raid shelters.

After the war, East Germans were prevented from riding on the U-Bahn into West Berlin.

Here we see Soviet soldiers storming the Berlin U-Bahn in 1945.

This is a photo of a train leaving Nollendorfplatz, one of the original stations of the Berlin U-Bahn.

In 1989, following months of unrest, the travel restrictions placed upon East Germans were lifted.

There are several stations, platforms and tunnels that were built in preparation for future U-Bahn extensions, as well as those that have been abandoned following planning changes.

Many of these abandoned tunnels and platforms are used for the storage of props and for fire fighting exercises.

This is the Subway station Innsbrucker Platz, prepared for the U10 line, which was never built.

Jarvis and Maitland

When it was a little warmer, and the sun was shining a few weeks ago, I came upon this wall of flowers on Jarvis Street.



Somehow I captured a woman's head, peeking through the flora in the above picture.

There are Sunflowers, Echinacea and some purple flowers that I do not recognize.

Apparently, these are "Heavenly Blue" Morning Glories. 
As their name implies, they open up at sunrise every morning (weather permitting).

This is the last week for the Chinese Lantern Festival

Here are a few pictures I took last night of the colourful lanterns............

This is the Emperor Qin's Chariot.

(Note: if you move your mouse over a picture and click on it - the picture will enlarge - for better viewing)

This is the Thousand Cocoon Dragon
(named simply because of the use of silk cocoons to build it).


The Dragons Chi


The Flood of the Jinshan Temple.


A dragon's head.


The Disciples of the Grand Buddha.

Closeup of a Terra Cotta Warrior.

Riding the Whirlwind -
depicts Qin Shihuang leading his army towards the battlefield.

The legendary Terra Cotta Warriors.

The Emperor Qin - Worshipping the Gods

A Dragon Boat.


A camel (on the Silk Road).