Interesting places in Rome: Pantheon

Rome is a unique place with plenty of sightseeing attractions. The Pantheon is one of the top places to see in the Italian capital. It is a huge temple hidden between younger buildings in the Field of Mars. It was built 50 years after the Colosseum, it was built in honor of the Roman gods and the then reigning emperor. Like most buildings from the times of ancient Rome, the Pantheon impresses with its size and architecture. Find out more about its history!

Architecture of the Pantheon

The temple is built on a rotunda pattern with a diameter of 42.2 meters and the same height. Before entering the Pantheon, you can see a three-row portico - 16 columns in the Corinthian order. The Pantheon's dome is made of concrete, and in its center there is an opening (oculus) with a diameter of 8 meters - thanks to this, sunlight enters the building and illuminates the entire interior. The walls of the body have been additionally stiffened and made flexible to be resistant to thermal changes.

There are recesses in the walls supporting the dome, intended for burial chapels. They contain the remains of famous Renaissance artists (including Baltazar Peruzzi) and the tombs of King Humbert I and Queen Margaret. However, the most visited tomb is that of Raphael - the youngest of the three brilliant Renaissance artists, known for his numerous representations of the Madonna.

The Pantheon itself is eagerly visited also thanks to the fact that it gives tourists a shelter from the heat. It is always cool in the temple, despite the sun's rays coming through the oculus.

Pantheon and its history

The temple was built in honor of all gods, in place of the previous one, which was completely burned down in a fire in 70 BCE. (a large part of the Colosseum was damaged in the same fire). The buildings had the same purpose, but they differed in appearance - the previous one was rectangular, while the new one - cylindrical. In the 7th century C.E. The pantheon was given to Pope Boniface IV, who adapted the interior of the building to the church of Santa Maria ad Martyres - Saint Mary of the Martyrs. In this way, it became a place of Christian worship. Thanks to this, tourists can admire this lump to this day - other temples of ancient Rome were simply dismantled.

The Pantheon in Rome is the largest dome structure in the world. It delights thousands of tourists with its majesty, while architecture enthusiasts - with its simplicity and regularity of buildings. Admission to the temple is free, you can visit it every day.