"When in Rome" Day 1: The Pantheon

Next stop, The Pantheon! The Pantheon is a temple dedicated to the pagan gods of Ancient Rome (Pan-theon = All gods). Built under the reign the Emperor Hadrian, The Pantheon was the most preserved and most influential structure in Ancient Rome.

I want everyone to understand how large this building is. The doors alone are 21 feet high! I couldn't fit the entire height of the structure in my camera frame (I even crouched to the ground to no avail.) When I turned the corner I couldn't believe it was real. It had its own real life filter. Thankfully it wasn't as packed as the Colosseum. I had space to breathe - plus it was free admission. Above the pillars read an inscription "M. AGRIPPA.L.F.COSTERTIUM.FECIT meaning "Marcus Agrippa son of Lucius, having been consul three times made it” in reference to Marcus Agrippa who built a similar pantheon but it burned to the ground during about 40 years prior. The reason behind Hadrian dedicating his structure to his predecessor is unknown. 

Upon entering The Pantheon, the only source of light comes from the Oculus - the "window to the heavens" located at the center of the dome shaped ceiling measuring at 43.2 meters. No two experiences at The Pantheon are the same when the Sun is your host. That's classy! 

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Ciao!