Day 116

Today we went into Rome again and spent the entire day walking around. First stop was Trajan's Column. This column was a glorifying monument, upholding Trajan as Rome's great emperor. After getting pictures taken we walked to the next stop, which was the Pantheon.

The building is circular with a portico of large granite Corinthian columns (eight in the first rank and two groups of four behind) under a pediment. A rectangular vestibule links the porch to the rotunda, which is under a coffered concrete dome, with a central opening (oculus) to the sky. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon's dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. The height to the oculus and the diameter of the interior circle are the same, 142 ft.

Before entering the Pantheon there are 12 columns. Rick Steves too dos it takes 4 adults to go around the column. We did it, just Jack, Bria, Landon, and I. Landon only had half an arm, because it was in a cast. Taking pictures in this round building was very hard. Inside to the left of the door there is pulpit and bench for services. All around there are statues. The entire building is lighted through the opening at the top. The building is constructed that light will reach every corner in the Pantheon. It is perfectly round inside so it could fit a 43.3m diameter sphere under its dome.

The church that we visited next was called Chiesa di Sant'Igzacio di Loyola. This church is an amazing work of art with many beautiful colors. In this church is the tomb of St.Roberto Bellarmino.(1) One well known carving that was put in this church is called Glory of St Aloysius Gonzaga (1698) and it was carved by Legros.(2) Also another carving called, Monument to Pope Gregory XV (1697) and it carved by Monnot.(3)

The church has a Latin cross plan with numerous side chapels. The building was inspired by the Jesuit mother church, the Church of the Gesù in Rome (finished in the late 16th century). The imposing order of Corinthian pilasters that rings the entire interior, the theatrical focus on the high altar at the rear of the broad eastern apse, the church's colored marbles, animated stucco figural relief, richly ornamented altars, extensive gilding, and bold Tromp l’oeil paintings in the "dome" at its crossing and in the nave ceiling all produce a festive, sumptuous effect. Funds to build a dome were lacking, hence a painter to paint the illusion of a dome was hired. The church stages the triumph of its dedicatee most effectively.

The nave's west wall has a sculptural group depicting Magnificence and Religion (1650) by Alessandro Algardi. Algardi also helped design the high reliefs in stucco that run on both lateral nave walls just above the entries to the chapels and beneath the nave's grandiose entablature.

Andrea Pozzo painted the ceiling.



Here are more pictures from the Chiesa di Sant'Igzacio di Loyola below.

While walking around Rome we came across a huge building. This buildings is named, Roma Piazza Venezia Vittoriano. We did not have time to go in, so we walked on by. Next we came to an area of ruins.