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 Pantheon's restored coffered
ceiling and oculus by Lacristina
Indeed, today, the Pantheon still functions as a Roman Catholic church, with masses celebrated on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings, just like any other local parish church in Rome. It is good to remember this when planning a visit. Although the building is usually open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., when services are being held you should refrain from walking around (though you can stand near the entrance). Entry is free through the massive, bronze doors, said to be “original” but having undergone significant restorations.
So many ironies, secrets, legends, art, politics, science, skill and history in one building.
To begin in the middle, (you already knew it was built by Emperor Hadrian in 118 AD to replace an earlier temple destroyed by fire, right?) the temple was closed in the 5th century as Christianity grew in power. Sometime between 607-9, it was given to Pope Boniface IV for use as a church by Emperor Phocas (Eastern Roman Empire). It was rechristened Santa Maria ad Martyres (St. Mary of the Martyrs). Twenty-eight wagonloads of Christian martyrs bones were moved from their graves and buried under the Pantheon, and the Pope proclaimed All Saints Day, a commemoration of all the martyrs. The church calendar had been getting more and more crowded, with not enough room to celebrate a day in honor of each saint.
Two years ago, the dirty and stained coffered ceiling underwent cleaning and restoration, resulting in this beautiful, pristine image of the oculus and the dark blue of an early evening sky. I've read that it used to be possible to write for permission to climb the dome from the outside, and look down, over the lip of the 9-meter wide (30 feet) oculus. Now THAT would be something! Leave a Comment Address: Piazza della RotondaDirections: In the middle of Rome's historical center, about a 5 minute walk east of Piazza Navona.
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Unlike most huge monuments, the Pantheon takes only a moment to be overwhelmed by its beauty - stop at the portico - take a few steps - look ahead - left - right - upward -- it is all right there before your eyes. The immense vault, suspended overhead seemingly without support is crowned by the open circle - rays of sunlight bath the devout as their prayers rise to the heavens.
Rome's only monument that is architecturally intact from classical times. In reality, no one knows when it was built, but supposedly by Agrippa in 27 BC (due to the inscription "M Agrippa....") - actually it was destroyed by fire in 80 AD and redesigned by Hadrian. Hadrian said, "My intentions had been that this sanctuary of All Gods should reproduce the likeness of the terrestrial globe and of the stellar sphere...The cupola...revealed the sky through a great hole at the center, showing alternately dark and blue. This temple, both open and mysteriously enclosed, was conceived as a solar quadrant. The hours would make their round on that caissoned ceiling so carefully polished by Greek artisans; the disk of daylight would rest suspended there like a shield of gold; rain would form its clear pool on the pavement below, prayers would rise like smoke toward that void where we place the gods."
With the permission of Emperor Phocas in 609 AD, Pope Boniface IV converted the pagan temple into a Christian church - in 1929 it was named Basilica Palatina. The interior measures 43.4 meters (width & height). The thickness of the cupola diminishes as it rises. Light and air enter as prayers rise through the opening at the top - almost 9 meters across. Many famous people are buried here including Raphael and the first king of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II di Savoia.
Try to take your time here - come back when its not too crowded.
Photo and reference text by permission Robert Piperno non-commercial purpose only Address: Piazza della RontondaPhone: 06-6830-0230Directions: Piazza Rotonda
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 Allan and Hugh across
from the Pantheon eating by deecat
The interior measures the same in diameter and height. They had the oculus so that prayers could ascend to heaven. I found it so serene, and I think that is because of its simplicity. Don't get me wrong; there is a difference between simplicity and being simple. The Pantheon is anything but simple. The finest materials were used in perfect proportion, which adds up to perfection.
Before it was a church, when multiple gods were worshipped, statues of gods and heroes were in the seven niches which surround the portico. There are still antique yellow marble columns that are original, and they remind us of the original splendor.
There are many sovereigns and artists buried here. One of the most well known is Raphael, a popular artist. Another famous person is Victor Emanuel II.
Take some time to really look at everything and soak in the perfection, the beauty, the simple elegance of this masterpiece of architecture.
There are plenty of narrow streets around the Pantheon with a mixture of restaurants, cafes, and financial/political buildings, so try eating nearby. We ate outside facing the Pantheon one lovely afternoon. It's certainly a great place to people watch. Leave a Comment Address: Piazza della RotondaPhone: 06-6830=0230
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The Pantheon is thought to have been originally been built in honor of the seven Roman gods that lent their names to the first known planets. Located in the Piazza della Rotonda, Roman legend says this is the spot where, upon his death, Rome's founder, Romulus, was taken to the Gods by eagles. The structure was built between 27 and 25 BC by Consul Agrippa, the Prefect of the Emperor Augustus. After a fire destroyed the temple, Domitian rebuilt the Pantheon in 80 AD. Pantheon, which is Greek for "everything divine" or more commonly "Temple of All Gods" was turned into a church by Pope Boniface IV in 609 AD, giving it the name "Santa Maria ad Martyres". The original monuments to the Roman gods are long gone, now replaced by the tombs of seven prominent Italian figures. Kings Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I, his queen, Margherita, painters Raphael and Annibale, composer Archangelo Corelli and architect Baldassare Peruzzi. The Pantheon is open Monday-Saturday from 8:30-19:30, Sundays 9:00-18:00 and Holidays 9:00-13:00. Masses are held Saturdays at 17:00 and Sundays at 10:30. Admission is free. One of the most historic buildings on Earth and a must see when visiting the Eternal City. Leave a Comment Address: Piazza della RotondaPhone: +39 06 6830 0230Directions: Piazza della Rotonda, easy walk between Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navonna.
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 The fountain and the
Pantheon behind by melissa_belLeave a Comment
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 The columns at the
entrance of the Pantheon by melissa_belLeave a Comment Address: Piazza della Rotonda
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IT IS! The Pantheon is fantastic building (my favourite in Rome) started out life as a Temple around the year 120. It is a Great domed hall with an ‘Oculus’. Guess that’s a fancy name for a hole in the middle of the roof. Yes, it has a fantastic drain system as rain does come straight in. So does sunshine. Do not leave Rome without visiting! Leave a Comment
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 by rukiLeave a Comment Directions: Bus 40 Express, 64, 492, or 62 to Largo Argentina
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 Alex, Alison & Bill inside the
Pantheon by sue_stone, 4 more photos
Its dome is more than 40 metres high, and it was the largest dome in the world until 1436 when the Florence Cathedral was constructed.
At the top of the dome is a large opening, the oculus, which is the only source of light.
When you enter the Pantheon (free entry) you will find yourself standing in the centre, neck craned looking up to the sky in awe. Leave a Comment
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Built more than 1800 years ago, the magnificent Pantheon building still stands as a reminder of the great Roman empire.
The building's dome, more than 43 meters high is most impressive. It was the largest dome in the world until 1436 when the Florence Cathedral was constructed.
At the top of the dome is a large opening, the oculus, which was the only source of light.
The front portico has three rows of 8 columns, each one with a diameter of 1.5m. A huge bronze door gives access to the cylindrical building. Its diameter equals the interior height of 43,3m.
It was hot day and I can assure you the water tap in front of the fountain serves really Ice cold water so feel safe and go for it if you are thirsty!
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