In order to pay proper homage to Apollo, one must go to where can truly feel his presence! (I’m sure it doesn’t hurt if you’re slightly awed by the size of the doors either!)
Yes, we went back to the Pantheon during daylight hours. Partly in order to bear witness to his eternal passage across the sky, by following the sun spot on the dome.
It was indeed remarkably impressive, and we were suitable awed along with every one else in the vicinity.
This next photo is of the Triton Fountain in Piazza Barberini. Another nice roundabout with a fountain in the middle, around which the Romans drive like … Romans.
But I leave it here not only to show you it’s beauty, but in order to remind me to tell you that we spent a day going on a tour! A tour that I was unable to take any photographs on. This fountain was the meeting place before we got on a bus and headed out of town (past Hadrian’s Wall), to the Roman Catacombs! We came back to Bascilica San Clemente, a remarkable stroll through time as you descend into the depths of one church, through another they had forgotten existed, and finally a bit further down to a Pagan temple! All in the same patch of land! And finally we headed over to the Museum and Crypt of the Capuchin Monks. It was an amazing tour, that I would heartily recommend to anyone heading to Rome! Just … no photos allowed.
Moving on, we were able to take photos the day we ended up (finally) inside the Colosseum! HAIL CAESAR!
So I am going to give you lots of amazing photos of the ruins to make up for having none of the dead bodies.
Of course, once you have a ticket to the Colosseum, you also have a ticket into the ruins next door, up on Palatine Hill. I could almost feel the weight of History as I walked between the Arch of Constantine …
… and the Arch of Titus
Each of them engraved with the SPQR. Senātus Populusque Rōmānus – Most commonly translated as “The Senate and People of Rome”.
It was much quieter up on the hill. Oh, don’t get me wrong, still lots of people, it’s just that you could finally walk around without rubbing shoulders with all of them!
And the Ruins were amazing!
But I shall regale you with stories of those tomorrow! In what will be our final episode from Rome! See you tomorrow everyone!!!
ghoti industries 
Such a shame you couldn’t take photos of the tour, but the images from the Colosseum are lovely. Would you recommend the tour? Do you think the experience was better as a tour or would you have preferred doing it on your own? Sounds like an intriguing place to visit and explore.
I would recommend that tour to anyone! WELL worth the money. Very informative, not rushed (for a change), and I don’t know that I would have discovered the “time machine” church, or the Capuchin Monks with out the tour!
The reason for no cameras in the first stop was for safety. They don’t want you slipping and breaking your neck while underground. It’s too hard to get you back out again! For the other two, it’s respect. They are active churches. Also in the case of the Capuchin they not only worship there, but live there.