Piazza Navona

After the Pantheon it was only a short walk to the lovely Piazza Navona. 

Mom and Dad.

The Fountain of Neptune.

Fountain of the Four Rivers.

Photo by Liz Kasper.

Fontana del Moro.

The Pantheon

We started off our third day in Rome by seeing the Pantheon. This architectural marvel is one of the best preserved Roman buildings. The famous concrete dome was the largest on earth for about 1300 years. It survived as well as it has by going from a temple to a church and remaining in continuous use for all these years.

The scale and symmetry were astonishing.

I was struck by how colorful it was inside. Almost nothing was painted, everything on the walls was a different type of stone. The marble was white, grey, peach, green, yellow, and red - all patterned and expertly set in place.

The alter for the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs.

The door and the oculus remain the only sources of light. 

Even the floor was beautifully designed with different types of marble.

The Chapel of the Annunciation. Attributed to Melozzo da Forlì, early 16th century.

The massive doors are the originals and among the oldest bronze doors in the world.

Myself with dad and mom.

Myself, Jenny, Liz, dad, and mom.

The Egyptian obelisk in front of the Pantheon. It was moved to Rome in the 1700’s but was originally erected during the reign of Ramesses II. 

The columns are all monoliths and were quarried in Egypt.

Myself and Jenny.

It was breathtaking to see a 2,000 year old building in such remarkable condition. Still appreciated and inspiring people everyday.

The Vatican Museum

Our journey along the Tiber River took us to The Vatican.

Walking up to St. Peter’s Basilica.

Myself and dad.

Everyone taking a break.

Dad and mom.

We got to St. Peter’s Basilica a few hours before our scheduled museum entry time, however, it was still going to be over a three hour wait to get in. We agreed to come back early on another day and decided to walk around.

We killed some time by getting gelato at the Old Bridge Gelateria.

Some lovely flowers blooming.

Part of the high wall that surrounds The Vatican.

Jenny enjoying some people watching.

We also stopped for some wine and snacks at Caffè Giustiniani.

Some of the lush gardens at The Vatican.

The Pigna Courtyard.

Liz and Jenny posing in front of the Bistro.

Even though I looked into getting tickets months in advance the general admission tickets were already sold out for all the days we were going to be in Rome. Since my mother really wanted to see the Sistine Chapel I decided to get the happy hour tickets. They were a little more expensive but included a drink, a small (but delicious) meal, and evening entry into The Vatican Museum.

Myself and Jenny. Photo by Liz Kasper.

Statue of the Egyptian goddess Sekhmet.

A mask and a funerary shroud on linen.

A view of the Pigna Courtyard from inside the museum.

The head of a priest from a sarcophagus from Palmyra.

A glimpse of a beautifully decorated hall filled with statues. The Vatican Museum is huge, and this was a path we did not end up taking. A great excuse to return.

A view of Rome.

The Octagonal Courtyard.

The incredible statue of Laocoön and His Sons.

The Belvedere Torso by Apollonios. This statue was a great inspiration to Michelangelo and his work in The Sistine Chapel.

The statue of Antinous.

The ceiling of the Round Room.

The statue of Juno Sospita.

Admiring the highly ornate ceilings as we walked through the halls.

Jenny absolutely loving the Gallery of Maps.

The Room of Heliodorus by Raphael.

Room of the Signatura by Raphael.

The School of Athens by Raphael. It is always amazing to see a famous piece of art in person. You finally realize just how big it is and how much effort must have gone into it. Truly an incredible work of art. I only realized later that while trying to take a picture I had captured the hand of another museum guest pointing out details to the person she was with. A testament to its enduring appeal.

Crucifix, circa 1926 by Libero Andreotti.

A detail of The Precursor, 1927-1928 by Giulio Aristide Sartorio.

A detail of The Deposition, before 1936 by Vincenzo Irolli. As rough and grim as this painting is, there is an angelic peace that clings gently to the mourners through the brilliantly restrained depiction of light.

 More beautifully detailed ceilings.

Drop of water, cycle of life, 2011 by Kengiro Azuma.

Right before walking into the Sistine Chapel. Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed inside the chapel. But I can tell you that it was breathtaking. The chapel is smaller than I thought it was going to be, but monumental when you realize the ceiling and wall behind the alter were painted by one man - Michelangelo. The scale of what he was able to accomplish is astonishing. He spend years of his life working in that chapel.

Initially, Michelangelo was reluctant to agree to the commission. Due to its popularity there are no pews and no alter. There is almost nothing in the chapel except for a few benches along the walls. Just room for people to admire the paintings that surround them. My mother and I were in tears. Trying to absorb every detail and pointing out sections we recognized. Looking at the walls done by other artists which often get overshadowed and the beautiful marble floors. Five hundred years have passed but for a brief moment you get to enjoy the awe and wonder of everyone else who passed through those doors. To see it with my family, particularly my mother, is a memory that I will cherish.

Coming out of the Sistine Chaple Chapel we entered a room full of religious memorabilia. This particular case was full of ornate crosses and chalices. Jenny and I playfully looked at each other and whispered “Choose Wisely”. A reference from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

A delicate carving of a tree with a crouching goat.

An Italian map from approximately 1530 showing the east coast of North and South America with remarkable accuracy.