The Pantheon
During our first night in Rome, we walked from the Pantheon area to the Spanish Steps, visiting many famous sites in-between.
Date: 07/29/2007
The Oculus
The Romans invented concrete, which enabled them to build domes. There is a window in the center of the dome.
Date: 07/29/2007
The Interior of the Pantheon
The Pantheon's is well preserved because it was converted to a Christian church.
Date: 07/29/2007
Piazza Novona
On the right side, Berinin's Four Rivers statue is surrounded by a scaffold as it undergoes restoration.
Date: 07/29/2007
Campo de' Fiori Apartments
Modern day apartments have built on the ruins of the ancient Roman Theater of Pompey. This theater was once used by the senate, and is the site of Julius Ceaser's assassination.
Date: 07/29/2007
Egyptian Obelisk and Parliament Building
Egyptian obelisks can be found all over Rome. This is one is set to be used as a sundial.
Date: 07/29/2007
Column Closeup
A closer inspection of the column reveals that the statue of Marcus Aurelius has been replaced by St. Peter.
Date: 07/29/2007
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain areas was extremely crowded, so it was hard to squeeze through to snap this picture.
Date: 07/29/2007
Eric and LeAnn at Trevi Fountain
After tossing some coins into the fountain, we snapped a self portrait then got out of the crowd.
Date: 07/29/2007
Grounds of the Vatican Museum
We waited for over two hours to get into the Vatican Museum. We went to the meseum before going into the cathedral.
Date: 07/30/2007
Interior of San Pietro
Saint Peter's Basilica was by far the biggest church we visited. There are markings on the floor to show how other famous churches could fit inside of it.
Date: 07/30/2007
The Interior of the Dome of San Pietro
The Dome stands over the main alter, which is directly over St. Peter's tomb.
Date: 07/30/2007
Closer Look at the Dome Interior
At first look, the appeared to be important figures from the Bible painted on the dome.
Date: 07/30/2007
Mosaic Close-Up (of the Dome Interior)
We we climbed the steps to the dome, we were treated with an up-close view of the dome. It turns out the designs were actually the most realistic mosaic work of the entire trip.
Date: 07/30/2007
View of Rome from the Top of the Dome
Many of Rome's famous sites are visible, including the Victor Emanuel Monument, the Colosseum, and the Palatine Hill.
Date: 07/30/2007
St. Peter's Square (View from Dome)
The key hole shape square is surrounded by a colonnade designed by Bernini.
Date: 07/30/2007
The Vatican Museum as Seen from the Dome
We think that the structure in the bottom right of the picture is the Sistine Chapel.
Date: 07/30/2007
Eric Descending from the Top of the Dome of San Pietro
You can see the curvature of the dome most clearly near the top. The stairs become easier to maneuver down the stairs near the bottom.
Date: 07/30/2007
Eric on the Roof of San Pietro
These statues line the base top of the facade and don't look very interesting from the back.
Date: 07/30/2007
The Base of the Dome
At the base of the Dome, there is a walkway around the roof. The door on the right leads to a souvenir shop and a snack shop, where we bought some gelato.
Date: 07/30/2007
Heavenly Lights
After we reached ground level, we decided to re-enter the basilica and were greeted by afternoon light pouring in through windows at the base of the dome.
Date: 07/30/2007
Ground Level View of the St. Peter's Square
The Vatican also has an Egyptian obelisk.
Date: 07/30/2007
The Facade of San Pietro
Notice how small the people look in the bottom of the picture.
Date: 07/30/2007
Bernini's Colonnade
Each of the statues around the entire colonnade appear to be unique.
Date: 07/30/2007
Colonnade Optical Effect
There are two spots in the square where all of the columns appear to line up.
Date: 07/30/2007
Eric in the Colloseum
We rented audioguides in the colloseum. It was interesting, but overly detailed so it is hard to remember all of the details.
Date: 07/31/2007
The Arena Floor
Beneath the floor of the Colloseum were rooms to prepare gladiators and animals for the battles.
Date: 07/31/2007
The Arch of Constantine, Via Sacra, and Arch of Titus
The Via Sacra leads into the Forum. The cirlce to the right of the Arch of Constantine marks a recently excavated fountain.
Date: 07/31/2007
Eric and LeAnn on the 2nd Tier of the Colloseum
The Basilica of Maxentius is in the background, but the white columns are reproductions.
Date: 07/31/2007
Floor Level in the Colloseum
The white marble stones mark where the senators sat and are carved with names.
Date: 07/31/2007
Another View of the Under-Floor Chambers
The Romans used a system of elevators to raise animals and gladiators up to the arena level.
Date: 07/31/2007
Exterior View of the Colloseum
This view shows that a lot of modern day brick work is used to keep the Colloseum standing.
Date: 07/31/2007
Gladiator Training Grounds
These facilities across the street were used to train gladiators.
Date: 07/31/2007
The Basilica of Maxentius
These remaining barrel vaults only suggest how massive this structure once was. The main vault would have been even taller.
Date: 07/31/2007
Eric in the Forum
The structures to the left are at the base of the Palantine Hill.
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Eric at the Temple of Romulus
This building is well preserved because it was converted to a Christian Church.
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The Temple of Antoninus and Faustina
This Roman temple was also converted to a Christian church.
Date: 07/31/2007
The Temple of the Vestal Virgins
The Vestal Virgins were responsible for maintaining the sacred fire within this temple.
Date: 07/31/2007
Eric with the Arch of Septimus Severus
This arch is on the far end of the Forum from the Arch of Titus.
Date: 07/31/2007
View of San Pietro from the Palatine Hill
This puts the size of the massive dome into perspective.
Date: 07/31/2007
Eric and Columns on the Palatine Hill
The Dome of San Pietro is in the distant background.
Date: 07/31/2007
Ruins of a Palace
One of many large structures on the Palatine Hill that stir the imagination.
Date: 07/31/2007
Colloseum with Faux Columns
The Colloseum and reproduced columns near the Basilica of Maxentius.
Date: 07/31/2007
Looking Down on the Forum and Arch of Septimius Severus
After passing through the Forum one last time, the stairs up to Capital Hill offered sweeping views.
Date: 07/31/2007
The Campidoglio
Michelangelo designed the layout of these three capital buildings. The horseman in the center is Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius.
Date: 07/31/2007
One Last Look at the Colloseum
A "secret" shortcut from the Campidoglio to the Victor Emmanuel Monument brought us to a snack bar with this view.
Date: 07/31/2007
The Victor Emmanuel Monument
Victor Emmanuel was the first king of united Italy. The white marble of the momument picks up pollution and is undergoing cleaning.
Date: 07/31/2007
Trajan's Column
Once again, St. Peter has replaced a Roman emperor at the top of his own column.
Date: 07/31/2007
Ruins of Trajan's Forum
Trajan built an expansive forum and market across from the original forum.
Date: 07/31/2007
