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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