The Pantheon is my favorite landmark in Rome. The sense of awe I feel when I round the corner and see this massive feat of architectural splendor never gets old. I remember the first time I entered the building when I was a mere 19 years old and studying art in Italy for a summer with the University of Georgia. My jaw dropped and I was struck speechless, marvelling that something this huge and this beautiful could have been built nearly 2,000 years ago.
Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon’s dome is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. – Wikepdia
Until recently, almost all of my photos of the Pantheon have been taken looking towards the facade or inside the voluminous interior. On this chilly January day last year I was struck by the view looking out. I love the contrast of the stately columns against the always-hopping Piazza della Rotonda.
This photo reminds me to keep changing my perspective on the world and to always “play” and mix things up. It’s far too easy to get locked into a more standard view of the world, and go for the “expected” angle.
If you like this image, please be sure to check out my online photo gallery.
I started following your blog today following advice from Manu. Thank you for sharing that great photograph looking out from the Pantheon. I have only read this one entry and I love your blog already. I have been to Italy many times since my first visit in the 1980s. It has become a ritual for me to visit the Pantheon early in the morning of the first day I arrive in Rome. Then I walk just a little further to say good morning to the elephant in Piazza della Minerva. Then I have coffee at Sant’Eustachio il Caffe. Then I am truly back in Rome. I look forward to reading more of your blog and seeingmor of your photos. Thank you.
Grazie Gaye, I’m so pleased you like what you’ve found on the blog so far. I’m particularly happy the photo of the Pantheon speaks to the love of your first morning ritual! Please stay in touch and let me know what you think of subsequent posts, and how I can make the site better. Jed
hello Ged I loved this pic my favourite building in Rome !how do I subsribe to your blog? sorry I missed you both at Neils opening..
baci Penny x
Ciao Penny, Great to hear from you. If we had known you were coming to Neal’s opening we would’ve hung around a bit longer. You can subscribe to my blog by going to Italywise.com (not through a FaceBook link) and at the top of the upper right column you’ll see a place to enter your email address to subscribe. You should then receive a confirmation email and a link that verifies your address, and then you’re good to go. Hope to see you soon! Jed
Very cool perspective. Thank you for sharing
Grazie Elly! I hope to “play around” with different perspectives on the classics of architecture.
Ciao Jed! Wow seeing the small people next to columns really gives great perspective how large they are! Thank you for this beautiful photo and writing! a presto ! Anita
As always, thanks Anita, for the words of encouragement! Glad you like the photo!
This is such a fantastic photo! I bet it is as wonderful in color too!
Grazie! Yes, the color version turned out beautifully as well, with the color of the lights in the square making the scene quite magical. In black and white the emphasis shifts to the columns and to the menacing sky! Jed