Church after church

---

Geo: 41.8955, 12.4823

Was pretty excited this morning as I had planned to go up the dome of St Peter's- the biggest in the world and designed by Michelangelo. I wasn't very impressed with it at all. I though the dome in London's St Paul's was more breathtaking and exciting. Oh well, I've done it now. From here could see lots of Rome- mostly church domes! Crossed the river to the other side of Rome and looked at the obelisk outside the Pantheon. Nearby saw the remains of Hadrian's Temple. Around the corner was the Column of Marcus Aurelius. Built in 180 AD to commemorate his victories, a lot like Trajans Column. Another obelisk nearby of Montecitorio. Went into the church of San Luigi of Francesi, a French national church. Inside there were three Caravaggio's, all dedicated to St Matthew.
Next church Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, which means that this church is built on top of a temple dedicated to Minerva. Inside is Michelangelo's statue of the Risen Christ. He did not finish it, but one of his students did. Also a bust here by Bernini.
Chiesa Nuova was next on my walk. In here there is more artwork. This time 3 paintings by Rubens.
On the way home I visited the first Gesuit church to be built in Rome, like all the other churches here, it was very pretty inside.

---

Photos

01 Funny Sight
As I was walking over the bridge to St Peters, I saw this group of men running away from someone. Wrapped up in those sheets are imitation designer handbags.

02 Castle
A statue at the end of the bridge and the castle in the background.

03 To the castle
The bridge that leads to the castle.

04 The dome
The dome that I am going up to the top of.

05 From the top
View of the inside of the church from half way up the dome.

06 Looking up
Looking up at the dome.

07 Mosaics
Mosaics on the side wall of the dome.

08 A building
A building that I could see from the top, its part of the Vatican City.

09 St Peters Square
The entrance to the Vatican City.

10 River and Castle
View of the river and castle from the top.

11 Domes
In this direction I could see many church domes.

12 Dome
Close up of the dome.

13 City wall
Part of an old city wall in the Vatican City.

14 Obelisk
The obelisk in front of the Pantheon.

15 Temple remains
Remains of an old temple of Hadrian, the remaining columns have been incorporated into surrounding buildings.

16 Column
This is the column of Marcus Aurelius.

17 Obelisk
Obelisk of Montecitorio.

18 Inside
Inside San Luigi of Francesi.

19 Caravaggio
One of the Carravaggio's in San Luigi.

20 Ceiling
Ceiling of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva.

21 Statue
This is the state Michelangelo began and was completed by one of his students.