Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen. – Benjamin Disraeli
My studies in architecture and art history always emphasized the beauty of Italy. The Pantheon in Rome was completed in 126 AD and has inspired architecture for hundreds of years, including Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. The Pantheon is the largest un-reinforced concrete dome in the world and 20 inches thick. It features Corinthian columns and a coffered ceiling with an oculus. I love how the light changes the space at different times of day. I wish it would have been raining, so I could have experienced weather interacting with the interior.
The structure is surrounded by buildings with little breathing room, but that’s part of it’s charm. The location also features one of my favorite gelato shops, Cremeria Monteforte. The lines are long and filled with locals and tourists, but the flavors are amazing.
