Nov 22 Day 50 Crypts and Ancient Themes

The morning was laid back, waiting for the rain and hail to dissipate, and then off for another day of Roman adventures.  First was to the Capuchin Crypt, where – and this is no joke – bones of thousands of dead monks are arranged in geometric and other patterns in about 6 rooms of a church crypt (Chiesa Immacolata Concezione), see picture to the left.  These bones are considered holy and this is how the monks show reverence for their deceased brothers.  This display of bones utilizes ALL bones such as skulls, femurs, scapula, etc., and there are also complete skeletons of the important monks wearing their cowled robes.  It was very strange and creepy.

This is one of several obelisks in this city, many thousands of years old and with Egyptian writing on the sides.

The Pantheon is an amazing example of Roman ingenuity, considering that they built it without the benefit of computers or modern equipment.  The  was designed by Emperor Hadrian in AD 118 and pieces of it have been stolen over the years, but it is still beautiful.

This hole in the top of the dome is open to the elements, but the interior artwork and chapels are left unharmed.  Inside, among other things, is Raphael's tomb (and he died at age 37). There is a lovely epitaph by Bembo posted there:  "Here lies Raphael, whom Nature feared would outdo her while alive, but now that he is gone fears she, too, will die."

I am here by the giant doors leading in to the Pantheon to give a sense of the scale of the building and to show off my lovely blue scarf.

The Tiber River was roaring and the bridges were fun to cross while the water was so high.

This is Constantine's Arch and marks the victory of the first Christian emperor over his enemy.

Although Gregory Peck wasn't here this time to scare Audrey Hepburn into thinking that the Mouth of Truth had bitten off his hand, this Bocca della Verita was still a sight to see.