Internet resources: Google Street View now features panoramas of Italy’s and France’s sights

Google has added panoramas of Rome’s and Florence’s sights and views of France’s park and Château de Fontainebleau to its Street View service.

Google’s users now have a chance to take a virtual stroll around the Roman Colosseum, streets of Florence and beautiful Fontainebleau. Panoramas of these landmarks have been released on the Street View service, reads the blog of the Google Earth and Map team.

In addition to seeing the inside of archaeological sites like the Colosseum, Google Street View now offers views of other sights of Rome — for example, the Palatine Hill, where following the legend the mythical founders of the city, Romulus and Remus were found and saved by a she-wolf. Users can also follow the Appian Way which was laid in beg. 4 century BC.

In another Italian city — Florence — users may take a close look at Santa Maria del Fiore and walk through Ponte Vecchio, while in France they can take a virtual stroll around Château de Fontainebleau.

When taking photos for Street View service Google team usually makes use of cars with cameras on top. However when it is needed to take pictures of places that are not accessible by cars Google uses the Street View trike – a tricycle with cameras. Each two meters cameras take snaps, which are then “glued together” into panoramas.