Memories Of Rome - Oculus Of The Pantheon
by Mark Tisdale
Title
Memories Of Rome - Oculus Of The Pantheon
Artist
Mark Tisdale
Medium
Photograph - Photo Art
Description
One of the things high on my agenda to see in Rome was the ancient Pantheon. I've read that this is the oldest building in the world still in use (today as a Roman Catholic church rather than a shrine to the ancient Roman gods). Whether it's the oldest still in use or not, there aren't many buildings that are nearly two thousand years old that are more than a pile of rubble. It's absolutely amazing to stand beneath that great dome and stare up at it. There's no question that the architects of the Pantheon wanted and got a sense of awe and majesty when standing beneath the dome in the temple to their gods!
The great Oculus at the heart of the dome is a beautiful example of form and function. The weakest part of that massive concrete dome would have been the top. Rather than risking a fracture in the center, the ancient Roman builders left it open to the air, essentially a massive open-air sunlight. And having stood there on a rainy day, you'd be surprised how little rain actually enters.
The Pantheon hasn't stood against the elements for thousands of years without good reason. What an amazing place!
Note: not surprisingly the ancient Pantheon is a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site.
Uploaded
September 24th, 2013
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Viewed 697 Times - Last Visitor from Romeo, MI on 04/16/2024 at 8:58 PM
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