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I snapped this when inside St. Peter's. Built on the (possible) location of St. Peter's tomb, the present day church dates
from 1626. Construction was begun in 1506. Raphael, Michelangelo, and Bernini took part in its planning.
Truly a must see!
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This is the view from the very top of St. Peter's. The piazza was built by Bernini and includes 284 Tuscan columns.
The dome consists of two separate shells. There is a winding stairway snaking between the shells to the very top of the dome.
Amazing engineering.
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The courtyard of the Vatican Museum. Truly impressive. I had a picture of the monumental statue of Constantine, but somehow
I misplaced it!
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Another picture of the Vatican Museum. They have quite an amazing collection there.
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"You don't speak Latin?" I took a few semesters, but I can't remember a thing. This massive inscription is from the Roman Forum.
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This was the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, later converted into the Church of San Lorenzo in Miranda. It was originally
built in 141 A.D. by Emperor Antoninus Pius, who dedicated it to his wife Faustina.
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This is Trajan's Column, built in 113 A.D. to recount his victory in the Dacian wars.
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This is the Arch of Constantine, located near the Colisseum. It was built in 315 A.D. along the traditional triumphal road
and celebrates his victory over Maxentius in the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. One of the most important battles in the history
of the world. If Constantine were defeated, things would be VERY different today.
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The Pantheon! One of the greatest buildings in all of Rome. Originally built in 27 B.C. by Marcus Agrippa (look at the sign!)
is was rebuilt by Hadrian and later (609 A.D) converted into the Church of Santa Maria Ad Martyres by Pope Boniface IV. This
conversion accounts for the building's remarkable preservation.
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The set for "Gladiator."
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