When we turned the corner and saw the Pantheon in the middle of some apartment buildings and shops, I was amazed - photographs cannot do the Pantheon justice. The size of the Pantheon completely astounded me. I will never understand how they were able to construct such a large building with such an expansive dome - not to mention the incredible oculus in the center- around 125 AD. I felt so small and insignificant (in a good way) while standing in the Pantheon. Michelangelo was inspired by the Pantheon's high-rising dome and applied this inspiration to his design of the dome in St. Peter's Basilica. Some of the bronze from the Pantheon was transferred to St. Peter's Basilica for "Bernini's baldacchino." Although it was first a temple dedicated to "all the gods," it is now dedicated to the Virgin and all the martyrs.
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