Rome part III

Pantheon

The word "pantheon" in Greek means a temple to the all gods. That was the original intention when it was built  -  Pantheon  the Temple of the all pagan gods. Built more than 1.800 years ago, the magnificent Pantheon still stands as a reminder of the great Roman Empire. During its long existence, the Pantheon experienced periods of neglect. In the 7th century the temple was converted into a Catholic Church and thus saved from ruin. The Pantheon now contains the tombs of the famous artist Raphael and of several Italian Kings. Its interior is magnificent, it creates the impression of perfect tranquility, for me it is the most beautiful building in Rome.

Piazza Navona - Navona Square

Piazza Navona is one of the most famous and the most beautiful Rome's squares. The large and lively square features no less than three magnificent fountains. Fountain of the Four Rivers designed by Bernini  and opened in 1651, dominates the square. In the middle of the fountain there's a large obelisk, surrounded by the four large sculptures. Each symbolizes the four great rivers and four continents - Danube (Europe), the Nile (Africa), the Ganges (Asia) and La Plata (South America).

On the square there are  two other major fountains - Fountain of Neptune (Fontana del Nettuno) on the north end and Mauro Fountain (Fontana del Moro) in the southern part. Besides fountains at Piazza Navona there are two notable buildings. Behind the fountain is located Mauro Mansion Pamphilj - today it's

Brazilian embassy, while behind the Fountain of the Four Rivers there's a church Sant'Agnese in Agon, a beautiful baroque building from the mid-17th.

Piazza Navona is situated in the historic center of Rome very close to the Pantheon. It's the place with many cafes and restaurants, maybe a little too crowded but that's the price you pay when you are in such a popular and well known  city like Rome