This is the seventh post of seven, each a response to Kate Shrewsday’s request for an itinerary of MTM’s Seven Architectural Wonders. Each text post has a corollary visual post; the text and image posts will alternate between the blogs of Kate Shrewsday and the Andra Watkins. Since I (MTM) am no longer a paid pedant, I will try to make these as entertaining and enlightening as possible in 600 words or less. One ground rule: I cannot include a work of architecture I have not experienced directly and personally, just as one’s list of Great Books should not include a book one hasn’t yet read.
To see the text for this seventh post please click here!
The Suswa caldera
Sheena’s Lair, or where I almost met my end
Entering The Pantheon
A celestial timeclock….
..and what it looks like at high noon
The Pantheon
Where the rotunda and the portico meet
Evidence of compromise
The Pantheon
Kate Shrewsday 
Man’s relationship to the movement of the sun, caught in stone.
We do that quite often, don’t we. Sometimes its a calendar, sometimes it just makes the building more ‘liveable’,
I have always been captivated by the immaterial aspects of architecture…time, light, space, etc.
its the stuff that gets inside and outside a building to make it what it is
How lovely to chance across your photos of the Pantheon. Brings back lovely memories for me. Thank you.
Glad you have enjoyed them.
The celestial clock is – –heavenly. Great pictures .
Yes, I like a good pun now and again.
From the chaos order was brought forth. I love the comparison between the rough cave with its opening and the perfection of this place. Its concrete ceiling always takes my breath away…how, thousands of years ago, did they mould it to create such perfection?
I am also impressed that the dome is still standing after these millennia.
It is indeed a Magnum Opus!
(Er, maybe this pun does need a spot of explanation – Opus is what the Romans called concrete).
See above…love good puns.
Very inspiring. Would love to travel and see this. And the cave of doom! All good. So much better than the frighteningly sterile places you referenced in past peices.
The cave of doom, as you call it, was also the location of some scenes from Sheena, Queen of the Jungle. Some of the rocks arrayed around the space were actually painted styrofoam.
A fitting finale to your excellent series. Thanks.
My pleasure.
I only realized it was nonfiction when I came over here for the pictures. Double the OH!! Factor.
Scary but true it is.
I have enjoyed this so much.
I will enjoy handing it back to you and Kate.
*Sigh* so fourteen wonders are out of the question….:-D
Sheena’s Lair makes me think of Indiana Jones. I’m sure I’d be speechless in such beauty and incredible space. I am awe-struck in knock-offs! Great series, MTM. You have raised my awareness of structure and art by miles. Debra
Sheena’s Lair is from Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, part of which was filmed on location there. We found remnants of the filming, including styrofoam rocks. We di not find Tanya Roberts.
Ha! I was speaking of the Pantheon, not “Sheena,” but she’s pretty great, too. Wicked plot against you notwithstanding. D
Dear MTM, thank you for taking my hand and leading me on this journey to architectural wonders of space and time, of volume and tracery. I’ve learned so much and I’m seeing now with eyes newly attuned to wonder. Peace.
Ah, the pleasure of the pedant.
Thank you for bringing me back, 18 years later, to one of the places that lingers in my heart.
The Pantheon is unforgettable.
Perfect finale, MTM!
I agree….at least the ‘finale’ part.
Just “WOW!”