The Pantheon from Pantheion meaning "[temple] of every god") is a former Roman temple, now a church, in Rome, on the site of an earlier temple commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus. The present building was completed by the emperor Hadrian. He retained Agrippa's original inscription, which has confused its date of construction as the original Pantheon burnt down so it is not certain when the present one was built.
The building is one of the best-preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings, in large part because it has been in continuous use throughout its history, and since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a church dedicated to "St. Mary and the Martyrs.” The square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza della Rotonda. Today, the Pantheon is a state property, under Italy's Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism. Today, almost 2000 years after its construction, the breathtaking pantheon is a remarkable building to see. The spectacular design, proportions, elegance and harmony are a striking reminder of the architecture of the great Roman Empire. When Michelangelo saw this wonder for the first time he said that it looks more like the work of angels, not humans. The Pantheon's large circular dome with a conventional temple portico front, is "unique" in Roman architecture. Nevertheless, it became a standard exemplar when classical styles were revived, and has been copied many times by modern architects. The great architectural achievement was due to the massive weight of the large dome. Roman engineers lightened the dome as much as possible; not only its thickness progressively decreases, but the materials used in the upper part of the dome were lighter with internal spaces within the dome walls. The decrease in thickness has the effect that while the interior of the ceiling is spherical, its exterior is slightly “flattened”. It is larger than the dome of St. Peter’s basilica but since it seems flattened from the outside it is hard to get a full sense of its dimension. The hole (oculus), 7.8 meters in diameter, is the only source of light and is the connection between the temple and the gods above. Rain occasionally fall through it, but the floor is slanted and drains the water if it manages to hit the floor. In practice, rain seldom falls inside the dome. A lighting effect can be viewed on April 21 when the midday sun strikes a metal grille above the doorway, saturating the courtyard outside with light. The Romans celebrated April 21 as the founding date of the city, and the impressive sight of their Emperor standing at the entrance of the Pantheon surrounded by light coming from inside the pantheon might have been seen as something that, in effect, raised their emperor to the level of the gods and invited him in to join them.
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The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore or 'Church of Saint Mary Major', is a Papal church and the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome, from which size it receives the appellation "major". The ancient basilica enshrines the venerated image of Salus Populi Romani, depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary as the health and protectress of the Roman people, which was granted a Canonical coronation by Pope Gregory XVI on 15 August 1838 accompanied by his Papal bull Cælestis Regina.
Pursuant to the Lateran Treaty of 1929 between the Pope and Italy, the Basilica is within Italian territory and not the territory of the Vatican City State. However, the Holy See fully owns the Basilica, and Italy is legally obligated to recognize its full ownership "the immunity granted by International Law to the headquarters of the diplomatic agents of foreign States." Situated on the summit of the Esquiline Hill, St. Mary Major is the only patriarchal basilica of the four in Rome to have retained its paleo-Christian structures. The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is one of Rome’s four Major Basilicas, along with the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran. Its importance is based on its size, age, and the fact that it is the largest church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and also one of the oldest. Tradition has it that the Virgin Mary herself inspired the choice of the Esquiline Hill for the church's construction. Appearing in a dream to both the Patrician John and Pope Liberius, she asked that a church be built in her honor on a site she would miraculously indicate. The morning of August 5th, the Esquiline Hill was covered with a blanket of snow. The pope traced out the perimeter of the basilica in the snow, and John financed the construction of the new church. The Romanesque bell tower, built by Gregory XI after his return from Avignon, rises 75 meters high and is the tallest in Rome. The belfry contains five bells, one of which, "La Sperduta," or "the lost one," rings every evening at nine with its distinctive sound to call the faithful to prayer. To the right upon entering the portico stands a statue of King Phillip IV of Spain, one of the Basilica's benefactors. The central door is made of bronze and was cast by Ludovico Pogliaghi in 1949, displaying episodes from the life of Mary framed by images of Prophets, Evangelists and the four women of the Old Testament who prefigure the Blessed Virgin. To the left stands the new Holy Door, blessed by John Paul II on December 8, 2001. The right panel of the Holy Door shows the Resurrected Christ modelled after the image on the Shroud of Turin, who appears to Mary, represented here as Salus Populi Romani. In the upper left corner lies a representation of the Annunciation at the Well, a story drawn from apocryphal Gospels, while on the right there is an image of Pentecost. The lower corners display on the left, the Council of Ephesus which proclaimed Mary as THEOTOKOS, Mother of God and on the right, the Second Vatican Council which declared MaryMater Ecclesiae or Mother of the Church. The Papal coat-of-arms of John Paul II, as well as his motto Totus Tuus, lies above the door, while the two emblems further down are those of Cardinal Carlo Furno, archpriest of the Basilica in 2001, and of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. The spiritual and sentimental image of the reconstruction of the "Crib" in remembrance of the venerated event of Christ's birth, originated in 432 when Pope Sixtus III (432-440) created, within the primitive Basilica, a "cave of the Nativity" similar to that in Bethlehem. Numerous pilgrims returning to Rome from the Holy Land, brought back precious fragments of the Holy Crib (cunambulum), which are now kept in the golden Confessional shrine. During the following centuries several popes took care of Sixtus III's Holy Cave, until Pope Nicolò IV in 1288 commissioned a sculpture of the "Nativity" by Arnolfo di Cambio. Many changes and reconstructions took place in the basilica. When Pope Sixtus V (1585-1590) wished to erect the large Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament or Sistina in the right nave, he ordered the architect Domenico Fontana to transfer, without dismantling, the ancient "cave of the Nativity" with its surviving elements of Arnolfo di Cambio's sculpture. The three Magi, dressed in elegant vestments and shoes in a rough gothic style, and Saint Joseph admire with a sense of wonder and reverence the miracle of the Baby in the Virgin Mary's arms (of P. Olivieri) warmed by the ox and the donkey. Although its architectural details span more than a thousand years, its main layout remains unchanged from when it was first built in the 5th century, making it one of the finest surviving examples of an early Christian church. Inside it’s packed with artistic and religious treasures. Aside from various relics, jaw-dropping stone-work, and the tomb of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the church’s main draws are its invaluable 5th-century mosaics depicting various scenes from the Old Testament. Santa Maria Maggiore’s most prized relics are fragments of the manger or crib used to hold Jesus Christ when he was born. These are kept in a crystal reliquary under the high altar known as the Crypt of the Nativity. A museum below the church contains Roman remains that were found here in the 18th century, including a section of Roman road, a mosiac pavement, two wells, a series of arches and narrow passages cut into the bedrock. The Arcibasilica Papale di San Giovanni in Laterano, commonly known as St. John Lateran Archbasilica, St. John Lateran Basilica, St. John Lateran, or simply the Lateran Basilica, is the cathedral church of Rome, and therefore houses the cathedra, or ecclesiastical seat, of the Roman Pontiff. It was Pope's principal residence until the 14th century when he moved across the city to the Vatican.
It is the oldest of and has precedence among the four papal major basilicas, all of which are in Rome, because it is the oldest church in the West and It has the title of ecumenical mother church of the Roman Catholic faithful. The current archpriest, Cardinal Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome and the President of the French Republic, is ex officio the "first and only honorary canon" of the archbasilica, a title that the heads of state of France have possessed since King Henry IV. The large Latin inscription on the façade reads: Clemens XII Pont Max Anno V Christo Salvatori In Hon SS Ioan Bapt et Evang; which is a highly abbreviated inscription which translates to: "Pope Clement XII, in the fifth year [of his Pontificate], dedicated this building to Christ the Savior, in honor of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist". As the Cathedral of the Pope qua Bishop of Rome, it ranks superior to all other churches of the Roman Catholic Church, including St. Peter's Basilica, and therefore it alone is titled "Archbasilica" among all other basilicas. The archbasilica is sited in the City of Rome, outside and distanced from Vatican City proper, which is approximately 2.5 mi to its northwest, although the archbasilica and its adjoining edifices have extraterritorial status from Italy as one of the properties of the Holy See, it is subject to the sovereignty of the latter, pursuant to the Lateran Treaty of 1929 with Italy. For a thousand years this monumental cathedral was the most important church in Christendom. Commissioned by Constantine and consecrated in AD 324, it was the first Christian basilica built in the city and, until the late 14th century, was the pope’s main place of worship. It's still Rome’s official cathedral and the pope’s seat as the bishop of Rome. Surmounted by 15 7m-high statues – Christ with St John the Baptist, John the Evangelist and the 12 Apostles – Galilei’s facade is an imposing example of late-baroque classicism. The interior is a breathtaking sight with a golden gilt ceiling, a 15th-century mosaic floor, and a wide central nave lined with 4.6m-high sculptures of the apostles. The pointed Gothic baldachin over the papal altar is said to contain the relics of the heads of Saints Peter and Paul. Behind the altar, the massive apse is decorated with sparkling mosaics. Parts of these date to the 4th century, but most were added in the 19th century. At the other end of the basilica, on the first pilaster in the right-hand nave is an incomplete Giotto fresco. For tourists looking to be in the cuore (heart) of it all, the best place to be in Rome is in the centro storico. Indeed, the historic center of the city is where a chunk of the Eternal City's main attractions are located. There are an endless amount of things to see and do in the historic center of Rome.
For a sublime example of the Eternal City's most beautiful piazzas, visitors have plenty to choose from in the centro storico: Piazza Venezia, Piazza Navona and Piazza di Spagna to name a few This area, known in ancient Roman times as the Campus Martius, was outside the city centre, a low-lying area that was mostly given over to barracks and sporting arenas, together with several temples, including the Pantheon. Later it became the heart of the Renaissance city, and nowadays it’s the part of the town that is densest in interest, an unruly knot of narrow streets and alleys that holds some of the best of Rome’s classical and Baroque heritage and its most vivacious street- and nightlife. In Rome, there are a slew of great trattorie, pizzerie and outdoor café scene, especially in the centro storico. While there's great selection of restaurants to choose from in the historic center, For some pizza on the run, before you head on over the Pantheon, check out Da Remo's pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice). Remo makes the best pizza with salame, pumpkin and/or pancetta. The calzones aren't too shabby either! Giolitti is a historic gelateria that features all of the classic flavors. Meanwhile, Il Gelato serves up flavors that will tantalize your palate (over 100 different flavors to choose from)! Looking to paint Roma red? The centro, is definitely the place to do it. From pubs to clubs, the historic center of the city offers a wide array of nightlife for all tastes. Pubs are also popular places thanks to its pub grub and live music. Some of the hottest dance clubs can also be found in the centro storico. Though the scene is much smaller, than say, Testaccio where the hub of Rome's nightlife is located; there are several clubs contending for a prime spot on Rome's movida scene. Most of the best shopping is concentrated around Via del Corso near the Spanish Steps. If you're looking for high-end fashion, you'll want to hit up Via dei Condotti. It's considered the Rodeo Drive of Rome. In and around this street, you'll find high-end fashion names like Fendi, Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton and various others. For smaller, more exclusive haute-couture brands, one can check out streets such as Via Frattina and Via del Babuino for the best boutiques. Perhaps, you prefer shopping for fresh food or just want to browse through one of Rome's famous street markets? The most famous of all is the Campo de' Fiori market. Not only can you pick up the best and freshest produce and flowers, but you can also witness vendors turn the sale of an eggplant into a theatrical performance! The market is open Monday through Saturday and is definitely worth at least a stroll. Once you have visited the area of the Forum, the Colosseum, and the Vatican, the other really “big stuff” and “fun stuff” can be covered with a stroll through the cobbled side streets of the historic centre. Piazza Navona is a plaza or square in Rome. It is built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, built in 1st century AD, and follows the form of the open space of the stadium. The ancient Romans went there to watch the games, and hence it was known as "Circus Agonalis" or competition arena. It is believed that over time the name changed to in avone to navone and eventually to navona.
The Piazza Navona is situated in the historic center of Rome, west of the Pantheon. It is one of Rome's liveliest squares, with many outdoor cafes, restaurants and night clubs in the neighborhood. Defined as a public space in the last years of 15th century, when the city market was transferred there from the Campidoglio, Piazza Navona was transformed into a highly significant example of Baroque Roman architecture and art during the pontificate of Innocent X, who reigned from 1644 until 1655. It features important sculptural and architectural creations: in the center stands the famous Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi or Fountain of the Four Rivers, topped by the Obelisk of Domitian, brought in pieces from the Circus of Maxentius; the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone and the Pamphili palace. Piazza Navona has two other fountains. At the southern end is the Fontana del Moro at the northern end is the Fountain of Neptune. The main attraction in Piazza Navona is the Fontana die Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers). The fountain was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini for Pope Innocent X. The base of the fountain is travertine rock which supports the four river Gods. Above the Gods is an ancient Egyptian obelisk with a dove and Pamphili. The Fontana del Moro or Fountain of the Moor, is located on the southern end of the square. The fountain was originally designed by Giacomo della Porta in 1575 with a dolphin and four Tritons. However, in 1653 the statue of the Moor was added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. During 1874 the original statues were moved to the Galleria Borghese. The current statues are replicas. The third fountain of Piazza Navona is located on the north end of the square. The Neptune Fountain was formerly called the Fontana dei Calderari due to the many blacksmith shops located on the street near the fountain Of all Rome's piazzas, this isola pedonale (pedestrian precinct) is one where the liveliness of Roman life is most tangible. It has long been a meeting place for the inhabitants of Rome. The piazza revolves around the open-air-cafés and the seasonal fairs. Of these the most popular is the one held in December and early January where toys and crib figures are sold. Its theme if the Feast of Epiphany as well as Christmas, so la Befana (the Epiphany witch, who his roughly the Italian equivalent of Father Christmas) features prominently. In the summer the piazza provides a continous festival of painters, caricaturists, fortune-teller and buskers, who entertain visitors until the small hours. |
Rome Private ToursThere are plenty to do in Rome, Italy. Here is our recommended points of interest for Groups of friends and family to get together and enjoy. Categories
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