Rome Tourist Sites - The Pantheon And Quirinale Palace Districts

The Pantheon district lies almost in the dead center of Rome

. It is named for a temple dedicated to all the gods, which was built at the command of Emperor Agrippa in 27 B C. This magnificent edifice was rebuilt several times, for example by the famous Emperor Hadrian. During the early days of Christian Rome it was closed but a few centuries later it reopened as a church. The Pantheon boasts the largest unreinforced concrete dome ever constructed. The hole in the dome, sometimes called the "eye of heaven" illuminates the building. At one time the dome was covered in bronze plates that created a celestial glow when reflecting sunlight. Most of the bronze is gone, but you can still admire the original bronze doors. The Pantheon's chapel contains the tombs of the painter Raphael and that of Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of unified Italy. The Pantheon is surrounded by the Piazza della Rotonda whose centerpieces featuring a Sixteenth Century fountain and a classic Egyptian obelisk.

Quite nearby is the Piazza della Minerva designed by the famous Bernini. The plaza boasts an elephant holding a small obelisk, said to be the shortest of Rome's eleven obelisks. In the center of the piazza is the Santa Maria Sopra Minerva Church built in the Eighth Century over the ruins of a temple to the Egyptian goddess Isis, despite its name that refers to the Greek goddess Minerva. Santa Maria is Rome's only Gothic church and was the site of Galileo's abjuring of his scientific discoveries on June 22, 1633. Its many works of art make it one of the best "museum churches" in the Eternal City.

The Pantheon district is a good place to see some fine palaces. The Palazzo Doria Pamphili in the southern section started in the Fifteenth Century. It hosts a gallery with one of Rome's most distinguished private art collections, including works by Caravaggio, Titian, Raphael, Velasquez, Rubens, and Bernini. It is also home to Rome's Anglican Centre. The Palazzo Chigi in the north end of this small district dates back to the mid-Sixteenth Century and now belongs to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. The Palazzo Montecitorio next door was begun by Bernini in 1650 but completed by Fontana close to 50 years later. It has housed the Chamber of Deputies for over 140 years. The surrounding Montecitorio Square also hosts an Egyptian obelisk.

The Quirinale Palace district of central Rome carries the name of the Quirnale Hill, the highest and largest of Rome's seven hills. This was posh residential territory in classic times. The Quirinale Palace has been home to some thirty popes, four kings, and eleven presidents of the Italian Republic. Its construction started in the late Sixteenth Century as a summer residence for the Pope who died before it was completed. As you might expect for such a building the gardens are something to see. The website of the Presidency of Italy presents a virtual tour of the Palace. There's a daily ceremony of the changing of the guard.

Just across the street from the Palace is the San Andrea al Quirinale Church, built for the Jesuits. This beautiful structure was designed by Bernini and executed by his assistant in the mid Seventeenth Century. Don't miss the chapel of the Polish-born St. Stanislaus, containing a polychrome marble statue of the saint.

The San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane Church and convent located just south of the palace gardens was designed in the early Seventeenth Century. This church is quite small; it is often called San Carlino. Don't miss its oval dome displaying little lanterns. Franscesco Borromini, a leading Roman Baroque architect, designed this church; it was his first major commission. He also did its faade some decades later. In fact, this faade was completed only after his death. He never occupied the crypt in the chapel because of his death by suicide.

At the eastern boundary of the district you'll find the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma (Rome Opera House), originally built as a theater in the late Nineteenth Century. In addition to opera, the Teatro also hosts ballets and symphonies. Just south of the Palace is the recently modernized Palazzo Delle Esposizioni that holds exhibitions including the Rome Quadriennale, dedicated to contemporary art. It's held every four years, such as in 2012.

by: Levi Reiss

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