Sunday, May 22, 2011

Baths of Diocletian

Near the Museo Nazionale Romane, in the Termini/Repubblica area, are the remains of the Baths of Diocletian, a third century structure, I think, that is now, of course, a church.
Doesn't look like a church, I know, but there it is, the Church 
of St. Mary of the Baths or somesuch





















There is a dome as you enter, with an oculus, like the Pantheon















With an abstract stained glass thing















Looking down/up the nave/transept; Michaelangelo designed the thing, 
transforming the baths into a church; but then when the Piazza Repubblica 
was built, in the 17th century, I think, they decided to remodel, making his
nave into the transept; it doesn't work, IMHO


















Vicki by one of the eight original Roman pink marble columns




















The church also features this interesting old astronomical/
astrological device




















And while we were there, an interesting display on Galileo, 
arguing, as best I could tell, that he really was a faithful son 
of the Church and not really asserting anything contrary to 
Doctrine...PS...nevertheless, it moves

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