Rome, Italy (Vatican City & Pantheon)

Day 15

Deciding where to start in Rome is difficult- you're beyond spoilt for choice! We settled on Vatican City, since it was slightly closer to our accommodation.

Look at the queue! There was no way we could make it in before closing to see the historic 16th chapel. Though this is an absolute must see for many Christians around the world who make Vatican City a pilgrimage, it wasn't too high on our priority list especially if queuing meant we would miss out on the rest of Rome!

St Peter's Basilica

 

 Remember this from Angels & Demons?

A Vatican City guard. Don't you think he's a Tom Cruise look alike?

More of these delicious gelatos! They have every flavor you could possibly imagine and love! This one's coconut, mango and ferrero rocher.

Afif and I have a knack for stumbling upon treasures, or maybe Europe is just saturated with treasures that it would be impossible not to run into at least one (or multiple!) on a walk. At the end of a narrow street, loomed this legendary building:-

I'm embarrassed to admit, we didn't recognize it! We just thought "oh what a lovely ruin! I wonder what it is." It is, of course, the one and only Pantheon, with M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIUM·FECIT boldly etched across the front. 

The Pantheon is very well preserved, considering it was built in 27BC by Marcus Agrippa and rebuilt in 126AD by Emperor Adrian. It has been used as a political gathering place as well as a temple and was later converted into a church, performing religious ceremonies to this day. There are various tombs in the building, including two Italian kings and the famous Renaissance painter Raphael.

Simple geometry and aesthetics yet never fails to wow architects and tourists alike.