If you've ever been to the Sistine Chapel , you'd know I'm not suppost to have this photo. However, Michelangelo did such a good job I couldn't pass it up. If you're unfamiliar with this ceiling painting, it depicts the Last Judgement. It was painted by sir Michelangelo under Pope Julius II, from 1508-1512. It was unremarkable and by far one of the most beautiful things i've seen in Europe thus far. Left in the picture, you can see the well noted creation of Adam, which was great to see in person. It was not as easy to spot this, as I had thought, as the elaborateness of Michelangelo's work stretched along the entire ceiling.
Also created in the 18th century by Michelangelo was the Pieta. It is the body of Jesus on Mother Mary's lap after Crucifixion. This is the only piece of art Michelangelo had signed, and there is quite a bit of history behind this particular piece.
This is the ceiling of the dome at St. Peter's Basilica. It was quite a sight, and very beautiful. When we were in the Basilica, the sun was shining through the dome which contrasted behind the dark walls... amazing to see.
We were lucky enough to catch the Pantheon just as the sun set. Inside, the dome was amazing, especially the Oculus, which was just open to the elements. The concept of the Oculus is also very fascinating, and it's interesting to see how it still works today. However, the overall Pantheon was "Commissioned by Marcus Agrippa as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome, and rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in about 126 AD". When we arrived to the Pantheon, they were holding mass within, which was amazing to think that it is still standing and still used today.
The view from atop St. Peter's Basilica was awesome, really putting the city of Rome into perspective.
Taken in Piazza Navona, this is Sant'Agnese in Agone, built in the 17th century. Piazza Navona was once a stadium used for festivals and sporting events, then paved over in the 15th century. Something that blew my mind was the fact that, "From 1650 to the late 19th century the square was sometimes flooded in summer and used for aquatic games and staged naval battles".
This is a photo taken in Piazza Venezia, which sits next to Capitoline Hill, an important area in Rome. The statue on the steps of Capitoline Hill looks as if they are protecting an angel, not quite sure but it looked interesting.
This, of couse, is the Trevi fountain. We visited this fountain both in the day and night, and it was far more beautiful at night with the lights illuminating the water. I threw a coin into the fountain, and according to the legend, i'll be returning to Rome in the future - which is perfectly fine with me.
After some research, I found out this is the Tiber Island. The island was apparently once the, "location of an ancient temple or Aesculapius, the Greek God of Medicine and Healing". The amazement in Rome, for me, comes by stumbling upon endless monuments like this, all with a rich history associated with them.
