The Pantheon in Roma is impressive: its size, its construction, its awe-inspiring interior with the coffered dome and the huge oculus. The fact that it's essentially the same building seen and used by the ancient Romans almost 2000 years ago (the older original building - constructed in 27BC - was burnt down [twice], and this replacement was built in 126AD, and there have been various stages of renovation) is incredible - just substitute Catholic statues for the original gods.
We wandered around Rome on the day we arrived, without any particular plan, and found ourselves in the Piazza della Minerva, home to Bernini's beautiful elephant sculpture. Between two buildings at one corner of the Piazza we could see the back of the Pantheon, so we headed in that direction. Miss Tizz was distracted by the horses and carriages between the building and the fountain in the centre of the piazza, however, so we didn't end up going in that day - instead we took a carriage ride around the city centre.
The second time we went to the Pantheon it was a religious holiday, there was a mass being conducted, and the building was closed off to people not attending mass.
Our third visit was on our last full day in Rome, and this time we managed to get inside this magnificent building. There are signs near the entrance reminding visitors that this is a church, and asking you to be quiet and not speak, but there is a constant dampened buzz inside. It's essentially a large round open space, with paintings, sculptures, tombs and the high altar around the circumference. The oculus is the only source of natural light, apart from the doorway.
However you approach it - architecturally, historically, religiously, or from an engineering or design viewpoint - it's one of the amazing buildings of the world.
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