When I walk from my apartment in the Piazza Navona to my studio, I pass several beautiful and amazing churches. One of these, San Luigi dei Francesi, I have already mentioned. Two other churches that I pass on my way to class that I really like are the Pantheon and Santa Maria Sopra Minerva.The original Pantheon (photo) was built by Agrippa in 27 BC as a temple to the Roman gods. It burned down in 80 AD, and was rebuilt by the Emperor Hadrian in 118 AD. In 609 AD, the temple was given to Pope Boniface IV by the emperor of Byzantium at the time. Today the church officially consecrated as Santa Maria dei Martiri, or St. Mary and the Martyrs. Many notable Italians are buried here, including the artist Raphael and Italian King Umberto I. I'm very sad that I won't be in Rome for Pentecost this year, because I will miss the beautiful tradition where the Pentecostal mass at the Pantheon involves a fire company dumping rose petals through the ceiling during mass. However, it is very neat to walk into the Pantheon while it is raining and watch the rain fall through the oculus.
Another amazing and gorgeous church that I pass every day is Santa Maria sopra Minerva. From the outside, this basilica doesn't look like much of anything. However, the inside is breathtaking. The ceiling is sky-blue, with golden angels and stars painted on it. My favorite time to visit this church is at twilight, because there is just enough light to see, yet all of the candles within the church have been lit and the candlelight reflects beautifully off the ceiling. This church also contains the tomb of St. Catherine of Siena under the altar, and a statue by Michelangelo close to the altar. The name of the church translates to "St. Mary over Minerva" in English, because the church was built over the remains of a temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva.
The piazza outside of the church contains a very enjoyable statute designed by Bernini of a little elephant carrying an obelisk on its back. Bernini is the same artist that designed the fountains in the Piazza Navona.
The original temple was called the Delubrum Minervae, and would have been quite the site to visit. It's outside was filled with oversized offering stations, and greatly influenced the design of the WWII memorial in Washington DC. That the church built over it is dedicated to Mary is no accident, as the Catholic worship of Mary is a direct descendant of Minerva. OK, done now. I just thought you would be interested.
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