The Portico

The grand entrance of the Pantheon is a rectangular portico of giant granite Corinthian columns with a pediment above. The original Latin inscription "M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT" can be seen, which translates as "Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, made [this building] when consul for the third time."

 

The Rotunda

Once inside, you are met with the breathtakingly huge cylindrical space of the rotunda, with the walls adorned by large niches.

 

The Dome

The dome of the Pantheon, a masterpiece of Roman architecture, is the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. The internal design of the dome, with five rows of 28 coffers, leads the eye upward to the oculus.

 

The Oculus

This is the only source of natural light within the Pantheon. This central opening to the sky creates an awe-inspiring effect as light from the oculus moves around the room.

 

The Tomb of Raphael

The Renaissance artist Raphael and his fiancée Maria Bibbiena are interred here. It’s a beautiful tomb with an epigraph, which in English reads, "Here lies Raphael, by whom nature feared to be outdone while he lived, and when he died, feared that she would die with him."

 

The Tomb of Kings

The Pantheon also houses the tombs of two kings of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I, as well as Umberto's Queen, Margherita.

 

The Altar of the Pantheon

After its conversion to a Christian church, several altars were added. The main altar, under the apse and adorned with a Byzantine icon of the Madonna and Child, is a significant attraction.

 

The Pews and Interior Decoration

The interior of the Pantheon is equally impressive, with its rich marbles, gilded accents, and intricate carvings. Do not forget to observe the ornate detailing on the interior walls and floors.

 

The Bronze Doors

The Pantheon's enormous bronze doors – some of the few surviving examples from Roman times – are a sight to behold. They stand at a towering height of 7 meters.

 

The Fountain of the Pantheon (Fontana del Pantheon)

Located in the Piazza della Rotonda in front of the Pantheon, this is not technically inside the Pantheon but definitely worth a visit. The beautiful fountain, designed by Giacomo Della Porta in 1575 and surmounted by an Egyptian obelisk, is an iconic feature of the square.

 

These architectural and historical features make the Pantheon a unique and unforgettable site, rich in history and significance. Don't rush your visit—take the time to soak in the atmosphere of this remarkable place.

Is the Pantheon a church? 
Yes, the Pantheon in Rome is indeed a church. Although it was originally built as a temple to all the gods of Rome (the name "Pantheon" derives from the Ancient Greek words "pan," meaning all, and "theos," meaning god), it was converted to a Christian church in the 7th century.

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In 609 AD, the Byzantine emperor Phocas gave the Pantheon to Pope Boniface IV, who consecrated it as the Church of Santa Maria ad Martyres. This change in use has played a significant role in the building's preservation. While many other Roman structures were pilfered for building materials over the centuries, the Pantheon's status as a place of worship has largely protected it from such a fate.

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As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the Pantheon is still functioning as a church, while also serving as an important historical site and tourist attraction. It hosts Mass on Sundays and other special occasions, as well as occasional weddings and other church-related events. It is, however, mainly used as a historic site, and visitors from all over the world flock to admire its architectural magnificence.

Why is the dome of the Pantheon so important?
The dome of the Pantheon is of immense significance for several reasons, primarily due to its size, construction techniques, and the profound impact it had on later architecture.

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Size and Structure: The Pantheon's dome remains the largest unreinforced solid concrete dome in the world, even after nearly 2,000 years. It spans a staggering 43.3 meters (142 feet) in diameter, which is an incredible architectural feat.

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Ingenious Construction Techniques: The Pantheon's dome was constructed using a series of complex engineering strategies that demonstrated the sophisticated understanding the Romans had of building materials and load distribution. The Romans used a technique called gradation, using heavier materials like travertine and tufa at the base, and lighter materials, such as pumice, nearer the top of the dome, to reduce the load on the structure.

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Oculus: The dome has a central opening, known as the oculus, which is its only source of natural light. The oculus also reduces the overall weight of the dome and creates a symbolic connection with the heavens.

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Influence on Later Architecture: The Pantheon's dome became a key reference for many significant architectural works that came afterward. The architects of the Renaissance, Baroque, and even Modern periods drew inspiration from its design. A notable example is the dome of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., and perhaps the most famous of all, St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

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Symbolic Meaning: The dome with its oculus was also a symbol of the cosmos. The sunlight that shines through moves around the room throughout the day, representing the movement of the heavens.

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Thus, the dome of the Pantheon is a pivotal landmark in the history of architecture due to its extraordinary size, sophisticated construction methods, profound influence on future buildings, and the celestial symbolism it incorporates.

 

Does the sun on solstice have a certain angle over the doors through the oculus or not?
The Pantheon's oculus, the opening at the top of the dome, allows light to enter the building and move around the room in a dramatic and beautiful way, creating various effects at different times of day and throughout the year.

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There's no specific event associated with the solstices at the Pantheon as there is with certain other ancient structures like Stonehenge or the Temple of Karnak. While the sunlight entering through the oculus certainly changes with the seasons, it's not believed that the building was specifically designed to align with the sun on the solstices or equinoxes in the way some ancient structures were.

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That said, the movement of light throughout the Pantheon is a deeply significant aspect of the building's design, creating a sort of celestial spectacle that connects the structure with the cosmos. The oculus, representing the "eye of the heavens," allows the dome to be bathed in the shifting sunlight, symbolizing the connection between the temple, the heavens, and the gods. This dramatic interaction of light and architecture is one of the Pantheon's defining characteristics, creating a sense of awe and wonder for all who visit.

 

What are the dimensions of the Pantheon?
The Pantheon in Rome is a remarkable architectural structure with impressive dimensions:

The Dome: The interior diameter of the dome, which remains the largest unsupported dome in the world, is approximately 43.3 meters (142 feet). This is equal to the height from the floor to the top of the dome, which makes the interior space a perfect hemisphere.

The Oculus: The diameter of the oculus, the circular opening at the top of the dome, is about 8.9 meters (29.2 feet).

The Portico: The Pantheon's portico, or entrance porch, is approximately 33.1 meters (108 feet) wide and 13.6 meters (44.6 feet) deep. The portico's pediment (the triangular upper part) rises to a height of approximately 12.5 meters (41 feet).

The Walls: The walls at the base are around 6.2 meters (20.3 feet) thick.

Interior Circles: The interior of the Pantheon can accommodate two perfect circles of the same diameter (43.3 meters or 142 feet), one on the floor and another vertically from the floor to the oculus.

Remember that these are approximate measurements, and the actual dimensions may vary slightly depending on the source or method of measurement. However, these figures should provide a good general sense of the Pantheon's incredible size and scale.

 

Who is taking care of the Pantheon's protection?
The Pantheon in Rome, like many other historic sites and monuments in Italy, is overseen by the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism (Ministero dei Beni e delle Attività Culturali e del Turismo, often abbreviated as MiBACT). This organization is responsible for the conservation and protection of Italy's vast cultural heritage, including historical buildings, archaeological sites, museums, libraries, and more.

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Specifically within the ministry, the Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Metropolitan City of Rome (Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per la Città Metropolitana di Roma) would be directly responsible for the Pantheon's protection and preservation.

As the Pantheon is also an active church, the Catholic Church, particularly the Diocese of Rome, also has a role in its upkeep and management, especially as it relates to liturgical activities.

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It's important to note that maintaining a monument like the Pantheon requires continuous effort. This involves not only physical maintenance and restoration but also managing visitor access, providing informational resources, and working to ensure that the building can be enjoyed by future generations while still preserving its historical integrity.