PANTHEON

Visit one of the most ancient buildings in Rome that were formerly a temple but are now a church. Constructed during the reign of Hadrian, the Pantheon is known for its spectacular dome and is an architectural wonder. This is also one of the best-preserved edifices in the country that takes you almost 2000 years the past showcasing the glory of the Roman Empire.

The Pantheon is the most iconic landmark of Rome and has recently become a major crowd-puller for Europe Tour Packages from india! It is an ancient monument that is famous for being the first pagan temple that has been transformed into a church! It has a mind-boggling history and has been reconstructed twice after being burned down by fires.

The architecture, which was applauded by even Michelangelo, is the reason why people from all over the world flood to see this marvel! Unlike other monuments, it has not fallen into ruins, probably because of the fine quality of the materials used for its construction. It is still relevant in the 21st century and is used for mass gatherings and weddings!

It is dedicated solely to St.Mary and is touted as the most well-preserved Roman building in the world. The mighty dome of the Pantheon is the single largest unreinforced dome in the entire world. This monument is so celebrated that it has been the inspiration behind the design of a plethora of buildings throughout Europe, including the Belle Isle House in England.

The other reason Pantheon is well known is that the painting maestros Raphael and composer Arcangelo Corelli have been buried there. You can witness here two sources of light the entry door and the oculus. The structure is built in such a way that light from the oculus goes around the room throughout the day in a reverse sundial effect.

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Highlights

• Take a tour of this architectural splendor that stands in sharp contrast with other traditional structures in Rome and is among the best-preserved buildings in the country
• Admire the exquisite dome that is the highest brick dome in history and the oculus which has been the primary source of light here through the centuries
• Marvel at the mystifying Latin inscription in front of the building that is often referred to as the “sphinx of the Campus Martius”
• Get a deep insight into the history of the Pantheon that was originally ‘devoted to all gods’ but was later converted into a church.
• Witness the graves of famous personalities including Italian kings and renowned painter Raphael in the seven niches around the central space

How To Reach

From the Roma Urbe airport, the best way would be to take a cab. Considering the distance is only 9 km, it should not cost much. However, there are many ways to reach the Pantheon from the Leonardo da Vinci International Airport:

By Cab:

This is the fastest, albeit costliest option. The airport is 30 km away, and the journey takes almost half an hour. The journey will cost you 45-50€.

By Train:

The Leonardo express leaves the Leonardo da Vinci airport every 20 minutes, and it takes 32 minutes to reach the Roma Termini station. From there, the Pantheon is 2. Km away. The journey may cost you anywhere between Rs 1000 and Rs 2000.

By Bus:

A bus for Rome Vatican leaves the airport bus station every 30 minutes. The journey takes close to 45 min. The Pantheon is 1.4 km away from the Rome Vatican. This is the cheapest option costing around Rs 400-600.

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Best Time To Visit

The best season to visit the Pantheon would be during early winter and summer. This way, you will get to see the monument in its full glory when sunlight comes in from the oculus. It would be best if you try to go on weekdays as the queues will definitely be less. Also, the main queues form between 11 am and 4 pm. So it would be wise to visit this site in the morning between 9 am, and 10 am. 

You can also visit Pantheon in the evening when the crowd disperses, but then you will not be able to see the light and its reverse sundial effect. A big no would be to visit the Pantheon during the rain, because, firstly, light does not enter and secondly, the rain can disrupt your tour. However, it does not get flooded due to a very efficient drainage system.

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Other Essential Information

Location:

The Pantheon is located in Piazza della Rotonda. The official address of the monument is Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Roma RM, Italy.

Opening hours:

It is open from 8:30 am to 7:15 pm on weekdays and Saturday. It is open from 9 am to 5:45 pm on Sundays.

Entry fee:

The good news here- the entrance to the Pantheon is absolutely free!

Distance from the nearest airport:

The nearest airport is the Roma Urbe airport, which is around 9 km away from the monument. However, this is a regional airport, and you can only board domestic flights from here. The nearest international airport is the Leonardo da Vinci International Airport which is 30 km away.

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History and Architecture of the Pantheon

History

Initially, a different structure was built in the same place where Pantheon presently stands in 25 BC by Marcus Agrippa. It was built to honor the Roman deities of yore. It has been burned down to ashes twice in history- first in 80 AD and then in 110 AD. The final structure that is present today was built by Roman Emperor Hadrian around 127 AD.

The Pantheon started losing relevance once Rome was conquered by Emperor Constantine as it was primarily a Roman pagan temple. But then a few centuries later, it was converted into a Christian church, on orders of the Pope, and it got back its magnificent reputation.

Architecture

The Pantheon has three main structures- the portico, the rotunda with the domed ceiling and, the rectangular vestibule connecting the other two structures. All the features except the domed roof of the rotunda are similar to the architecture of another ancient Roman temple. Its dome is so alluring that the famed sculptor Michelangelo said of the Pantheon-“ It is the design of angels, not a man!”

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Exterior and Interior of the Pantheon

The marvelous architecture of the Pantheon is the reason behind its popularity worldwide. Here are a few details about the exterior and interior brilliance of Pantheon

Exterior

The Pantheon has a beautiful portico in front, which is supported by sixteen columns. The shafts and capitals of the column are made of different materials. The shaft is carved out of premium Egyptian granite, and the intricately carved capital is made out of Greek marble.

As a result of the long-time required for the construction, the columns are made of materials that have been exported from different locations. Different laborers were also employed to construct this iconic site. As a result, all the columns vary in length and width.

Interior

The interior of the column is a marvel in itself, and when natural light falls on, it creates heavenly imagery. It consists of two prominent parts- the cupola and the rotunda. The cupola has 5 rows of coffers with 28 coffers in each row. With each ascending row, the size of the coffers decreases a little, and finally, they end at the oculus.

Though it is now grey, the cupola is believed to have been dark blue. When you enter the rotunda, you are hit with a burst of colors- red, yellow, purple, and more. Even the floors are made of colored marble squares and roundels! The rotunda walls have recesses in them- these were used to paint frescoes and to place sculptures, but now they are used as seven chapels.

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Facts about the Pantheon

The Pantheon is a fascinating monument, and here we’re decoding some fun facts about it.

- The Pantheon has been burnt to cinder twice in its lifetime. The modern-day Pantheon is a result of two consecutive resurrections.

- It is interesting to note that of all the monuments of Rome, Pantheon has escaped the evil eye of invaders!

- The dome is considered to be the largest in ancient Rome.

- The exterior has a couple of pediments- one inscribed and another attached to the rotunda.

- The height difference between the two pediments is a whopping 13.5 feet! But this is considered to be a clever job on the part of the architect. With this height difference, the short pediment aligns with the St Peter’s Basilica obelisk, and the longer one aligns with the obelisk bang in front of the monument.

- It is the belief of a few historians that the oculus was, in fact, a clock of yore. People could tell the time of day by watching the way light streamed in!

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Tips for visiting the Pantheon

Here are a few tips that you need to follow while visiting Pantheon.

1. Wear modest clothes

Since Pantheon is revered as a religious site it is very important that your dress modestly before entering its premises.

2. Maintain silence

It is extremely important for the tourists visiting Patheon not to talk loudly or scream as people come here to seek quietude.

3. Maintain cleanliness

You should also take care not to throw garbage here and there. Dispose the plastic bottles or cans only in the dustbin that have been provided here.

4. Crowds

If you want to steer clear of the crowds, go between 9 am, and 10 am. But if you want to see it in full glory, 12 noon to 1 pm is the best time as the dome is inundated with sunlight.

5. Make sure you have enough time in hand

In case you are going with a group, make sure you have up to 3 hours reserved for this as the whole tour takes time!

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