Seeing the Pantheon

So far on my tour of Rome I have seen many amazing sights. Each one steals my breath away. The Pantheon was no different.

The excursion to the Pantheon had an exciting twist to it. Instead of being guided there by our professor, we had to get there on our own. Admittedly, I was slightly unsure of my ability to navigate the Roman bus system. All went well, though, and I found my way to that amazing structure.

It was quite an impressive place. Looking upon the exterior, you see a building that is almost 2,000 years old. The fact that it is still standing is a testament to the prowess of Roman engineering. I was truly amazed at the size of this former temple.

If I thought my sense of awe was great on the outside, then the inside was double the awe. As I entered, I was met by the grandeur of a room consumed by marble and regal colors. The dome instantly caught my attention. In the center of the dome is a circular opening. Through it the light of the sun floods into the place. It is actually the only source of light aside from the door.

What most impressed me about the Pantheon, though, was the fact that it was built as a temple for all the gods but was converted into a Christian church. It really shows the transition of European religion from antiquity into the modern age, which is the change from paganism to Christianity.

After leaving the Pantheon a group of friends and I went for some really good gelati. We also found a German bookstore. I got Harry Potter auf Deutsch, na ja! Life is good in Roma.