A Week in Rome: The Pantheon

When Hadrian rebuilt the Pantheon in 120 A.D., he probably wanted it to last a while. And last it did, remaining the largest dome on Earth until the Rennaissance, and after that influencing countless artists across the globe.  Finding the Pantheon on your first day in Rome can be a challenge, as the streets of the Old City twist and turn with a logic that takes at least three days to sink in.  Along the way you'll feel like an explorer journeying through the ever-turning narrow streets:

And you'd be best to watch out for the Vespas, scooters that seem to have the right-of way everywhere and often travel at speeds considered unreasonable under the laws of physics:

But at some point, you'll turn a narrow corner, and you'll see great columns on a piazza. The Pantheon.

Inside, the 2000 year old dome is very impressive, and completely intact.

Now a church, the inside of the temple is decorated with Rennaissance art.

Also on the Piazza is a lovely fountain.

All is not pristine, however. What's wrong with this picture?

At night, Rome transforms. It's like seeing two different cities. Because Roman life restarts at 6:00, you get more vacation time for your money than in many American cities, which can sometimes shut up like a drum at 5:00.  The fountain takes on a new personality at night.

And the Pantheon looks more mysterious.

As we leave, we wander through the narrow streets again, past the many flower vendors to find a bus (many run every 5 minutes) to take us back to our temporary home.