When they returned, we walked to the Pantheon (about 20 minutes from our house), the best preserved ancient structure in Rome. This architectural marvel, with its first-of-its-kind dome, was the inspiration for the dome in the U.S. Capitol and St. Peter's Basilica. Completed around 126 AD, this temple built to honor "all of the gods" of ancient rome was converted to a christian place of worship after the fall of Rome and has been used and maintained continuously since that time, which is why it has remained in pristine condition. It's a phenomenal structure and should be a must on everyone's list of sites to see in Rome. Pictures of the Pantheon below:
Abby, not always a fan of portraits as her facial expression shows, stands with the Pantheon in the background.
The highlight (pun intended) of the Pantheon is its oculus, or skylight, which spans 26' feet in diameter, lighting the entire structure, and on a sunny day, producing the coolest column in Rome.
Panoramic shot of the Pantheon
Daphne with the pristine floor of the Pantheon behind her. Most of us think of ancient Rome as gray and white structures (how we see these structures now). In contrast, however, the city would have been as colorful as the Pantheon's floor and interior.
Speaking of the Pantheon, one of the great questions we've had about Rome is: where are the public restrooms? Thankfully for Lisa's bladder, we found a bar and smoke shop nearby with a bathroom that seemed to be open to the public (although we didn't ask). For the fear that we might get kicked out or charged for use of the bathroom, I, a non-drinking and smoking Mormon, perused the store as if I were interested in the cigars and bottles of wine for sale while Lisa took care of business. Such a thing was probably not necessary but Sam and Daphne got yelled at earlier in the day on their discovery tour of Rome when they used someone's bathroom without being a paying patron.
With a three-year old in the group. the anxiety associated with finding a public place to rest has been higher than I had expected. As an American, I'm used to public bathrooms everywhere. Even in Holland, where I served as a missionary for two years, there were plenty of public toilets. Same thing with Paris. Rome? Apparently everyone has gotten really good at holding it. Or perhaps they all got destroyed in the 4th and 5th century by the Barbarians. We thought briefly about having a temporary catheter installed but thought better of it.
Alright, enough potty talk. We also visited a church close to Pantheon, whose name I've already forgotten, but was well worth the visit. One could probably miss all the "major" sights in Rome and still able to get in enough art and architecture for a lifetime by just visiting the churches that dot the neighborhoods.
A "small" church close to the Pantheon.
On our way to the Pantheon, we visited Trajan's column, a free-standing column adorned with the exploits of the Emperor after whom it is named.
Lisa and I standing in front of Trajan's column (with Jeffrey photo-bombing in the background).
Our final stop of the day was the Capuchin Crypt, where the bones of 4,000 dead Friars lie stacked in ornate displays. One of our kids' favorites sites in Paris two years ago was the Catacombs, where the bones of 6,000 frenchmen are on display in limestone caves beneath the city. The crypt in Rome was not quite as vast, but still very cool, and worth a visit. A plack in the exhibits reminds visitors of the temporary nature of their existence and the purpose of life, stating something like, "As you now are, we once were; as we are now, you will become." In other words, sieze the day, and repent before it's too late!
In case the Capuchin police is reading the blog, I did NOT take this picture myself (photography not allowed in the crypt), but rather found it on this site. Check it our for more pics of the Crypt.
Last but not least, I need to thank my well-traveled friend and veritable European expert, Scott Lambert, whose wood-turning skills have spread to the far corners of Scotland, for his comment on this blog about one of the ways to pick out "legit" gelato joints. He commented that one should avoid any gelato joint whose gelato sits in plastic tins--a sure sign that the place did not produce its own. Rather, one should look for a place with the gelato in metal tins, and with each flavor housing its own metal scoop. So far, that bit of advise has proven to be true. Another good sign of when not to buy gelato is when it's shop has wheels. Of course, that advise could also be given as to when not to buy most food.
The odds of me keeping off the 17 pounds I just shed prior to our tip seem to fade with each gelato stand I pass!
Final shots from the day:
One doesn't have to worry too much about violent crime in Rome, but pick-pocketers, like in Paris, are apparently lurking in every corner. An investment in a lock for backpack is worth the piece of mind.
Ms. Abigail. No, this was not a pose that she was cajoled into doing. Apparently, it comes natural (is this a sign of trouble?), and I happened to have the camera ready to shoot.
The kids and I in front of the Pantheon.
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