Open, Open, Open...

Open, Open, Open...June 2015. Lago di Bracciano, Italy. 

In June, I was able to take a couple of days and travel to Rome to visit friend. I studied in Rome many years ago and instead of revisiting all the usual stomping grounds, we decided to take a short trip outside of the city to Lago di Bracciano for some R&R. After spending some quality time by the lake, we drove to the nearby Castello Oldescalchi in Bracciano for lunch. It's a tranquil place with beautiful masonry, doors, and colorful plant life. I especially loved this spot. If the street side of the home is this well manicured, I can only imagine what lies behind this door. 

Masterful Bernini

Fountain of the Four Rivers. Rome, Italy. January 2009. 

A favorite gathering spot for both Romans and tourists, Piazza Navona features this amazing fountain, Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi by Bernini. "Fountain of the Four Rivers" represents four rivers in four continents where papal supremacy reigned in the 1600s; the Nile (Africa), the Danube (Europe), Ganges (Asia), and Rio de la Plata (Americas). This fountain is one of the many reasons why Rome would not be as beautiful had it not been for masterful Bernini. 

Oculus to the Sky

Oculus to the Sky. Rome, Italy. January 2009. 

I studied in Rome the summer of 2003 and returned six years later with my sister Tracie. The Pantheon is on every visitor's 'must see' list and for good reason. Perhaps it's the Libra in me, but I love the Pantheon for its symmetry and balance. The dome was constructed in a way where a perfect sphere would fit underneath it. The distance from the ground to the oculus is 142 ft (43.3 m) and the diameter at the base of the dome is also 142 ft, so you can imagine a giant globe taking up the interior of the building. The oculus is also the main source of natural light and as the sun moves so does the beam, shining a spotlight on various parts of the interior throughout the day. It's beautiful to witness.