Rome - day 2 - part 2

After we met up with the Wolavers and their group, we had lunch at a restaurant in the Piazza Navona. From there, the groups split and Sarah, Lindy, Steve, Sid (a friend from their cruise), and I went on for more sight-seeing.

Our first destination was the Pantheon. It was originally built as a temple to all the Gods (hence the name Pantheon) of Rome around 125 A.D., also during the reign of Hadrian. It was converted into a Christian church in 609.

The hole in the top of the dome is called the oculus, and it is 142 feet high.

Raphael is buried in the Pantheon.

From the Pantheon our group went to the Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva. It was built directly over the temple of the goddess Minerva (hence the name). It is the only Gothic church in Rome and is the main Dominican church in the city. Above can be seen the tomd of St. Catherine of Sienna under the alter.

Santa Maria sopra Minerva houses one of Sarah's least favorite of Michelangelo's works, the statue of Christ the Redeemer. I don't know, it looks alright to me.

I don't remember whose tomb this was. I just think it's really odd the way bodies and sculptures of the dead are propped up in a lounging position in a lot of these churches. As if they're watching you.

In the Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola there is an interesting dome. As seen above, it looks quite dark.

When seen from the side that the clergy would see it from, you can see that it is not actually a dome but a painting of one. Apparantly they ran out of money while building the church.

Oh, just a bunch of relics.

Our fourth and final church with the Wolavers was the Chiesa di San Luigi dei Francesi. It was built in the 16th century and in the national French church of Rome, whatever that means. It is dedicated to St. Louis IX, king of France (hence the name San Luigi dei Francesi). I never think about the meanings of the names until it is pointed out to me what they mean. Then it seems so obvious. I was impressed that Sarah's uncle Steve guessed that it looked French.

Of interest in this church was the Contarelli Chapel which had some paintings by Caravaggio, including The Inspiration of Saint Matthew. It is of special importance because it is a great example of the gesture that Kellin is researching.

After all that we headed back to their hotel to relax a bit. Later Sarah and I went out to diner with the three Wolavers then took a cab back to our hotel. We were exausted from so much walking.