Rome - Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Spanish Stairs

This is the ceiling of the Pantheon. We once again succumbed to temptation and caught a taxi. I would here like to rescind my earlier statement about crazy driving in Greece. Compared to Italian drivers, Greek drivers are Boyscouts on wheels. But I digress.

We stopped off at our favorite pizza place on the way to the Pantheon, and here are some of the selections:

Salmon, thinly sliced zucchini, and fresh mozzarella.

Pizza Margherita, with fresh basil.

Squash blossom and mushroom. I had the squash blossom and ham, and it was fantastic! I also sampled Andrew's, which was the salmon one pictured above, and it was delicious as well.

I like how many of the pizzas on offer do not have any tomato at all. That's a potato pizza on the left above.

Hams in a proscuitto shop. 

The outside of the Pantheon.

Just past the massive doors. There is an open circle, called an oculous, at the center of the dome which lets in a column of ever moving sunlight.

This is the very simple crucifix almost hidden in the Pantheon, surrounded by the other ornate carvings, sculptures, paintings, and stonework. There are also two large, imposing sculptures of saints in elaborate robes nearby, flanking the altar. This crucifix is not a focus and almost seems to have been snuck in. The contrast with the rest of the place is striking. 

Cooling off in the fountain just outside the Pantheon.

At another fountain.

The Trevi Fountain. 

Nothing says vacation in Rome like enjoying a cappuccino at the Trevi Fountain, surrounded by hordes of coin-throwing tourists!

The Spanish Steps. It looks like a daunting climb, but was really quite easy.

View from the top.