Ward Family Vacations

Italy 2001

Pantheon

You enter through two massive bronze doors through an 80 foot high porch into a one-room structure. The massive concrete dome was the largest dome in the world for almost 1000 years and is still the largest dome ever made of mass conrete. It is 142 feet from the floor to the top of the dome. The opening in the center of the dome was originally the only source of light. The floor is flat but dips slightly toward the center so that any rain that comes in through the opening in the dome flows to the center and drains. It was originally built as a temple to the Greek gods and the name "Pantheon" literally means "place for all the gods".

You get an idea of how massive it is when you stand next to the massive marble pillars (pic is of Jessica).

After our walking tour we went to the Osteria restaurant to eat.  We were all hungry after having walked so far and for so long!  It was a wonderful meal again served with wine and again entertainment.  There was a soprano that sang and the two gentlemen in the picture below provided the remainder of the entertainment.  Of course, shy Jessica is right up in the thick of things!