Yesterday, I spent the day hanging around the Pantheon. I walk by it everyday to get to class. This is easily my favorite Roman monument and it has an extensive, extraordinary history.
It is interesting how the city has built itself around the Pantheon. It is surrounded by cobblestone streets and tall Roman apartments, shops and restaurants. It freakishly blends in to its surroundings. I have to remind myself everyday that I am walking by an 1800 year old monument.
The piazza is populated by a fine mix of Italians and tourists from everywhere. Many couples get a bottle of wine to share on the steps of the fountain. Groups of Italian teenagers walk-by puffing their cigarettes and socializing. The Roma (commonly known as Gypsies) try selling you flashing light gadgets and roses for your date. Street entertainers provide an aura of music and activity. It is a very great experience.
Directly in the center of piazza is a fountain which does a wonderful job in symbolizing the evolutionary history of the Pantheon. The water feature itself is most recent and was introduced in the 16th century.
Atop the fountain is an Egyptian obelisk which was taken from Egypt by the Roman Imperial Army and erected in the piazza at the construction of the Pantheon in the 2nd century AD. After the Pagan religion was eradicated, Christianity took precedence. So, a bronze cross was placed at the top of the obelisk. (Can't quite see the obelisk or the cross, sorry)
This history mirrors the history of the Pantheon. Originally constructed as a temple to all the Roman gods, it became a church in the 7th century. In becoming a church, all statues of Roman gods were replaced, but the building itself was preserved.
All this history worked up my appetite so I went to a gellato shop nearby. This is the largest gellato shop I have seen so far, and I can't imagine they get much bigger than this.
I had craeme di Baileys. Yummy! Breakfast time.
