First day

We weren't sure how perky we would feel after all those travel hours so decided we wouldn't book a tour but just go for a walk on our first day......We walked to Pisazza Del Polo. One of the twin churches to the right.

but as we left we caught the changing of the guards in front of the Parliament.

so many pretty sights along the way....

Walking really is the best way to see Rome, just be sure you wear good shoes, those cobblestone streets

 are a little rough.

We headed back and ended up at the Pantheon....what an amazing piece of architect....

 this was built 120 AD by

Emperor Hadrian

These columns are 40 feet high and remember while looking at these pictures they did not have the tools and equipment we have today so can you even imagine how they could make such wondrous stone carvings like these

 next to the huge Bronze door or how long it took.

That is just a sampling of all the beauty in this building that holds the Tomb of Raphael, Tomb of Victor Emmanuel II and Tomb of Unberto I and Margherita.

But.....the most amazing thing about this building is the coffered ceiling that has a oculus (opening) of 30 feet.

Early in the Middle ages, The Pantheon became a Christian church (from "all the gods" to "all the martyrs") which saved it from ruin and ensured its upkeep through the Dark Ages. The year 2009 marked the building 1,400 anniversary as a Church

 One of many statues.

We proceeded to get a little lost but finally found our way back to our hotel just in time for a drink (served with potato chips and nuts) and a nap before our first of many dinners at the adjoining restaurant....Ristorante 31 Al Vicario