The Pantheon is one of the most mysterious, amazing and beautiful structures in Rome. Millions of tourists come to the Italian capital every year to see it - and what they see is worth it.
History
No one knows exactly when the pantheon appeared in Rome - there is not a single exact date in historical sources and ancient annals. It is believed that the construction was completed by 120 AD - during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian. Initially, the pantheon was the temple of all the gods, with the formation of Christianity it was named the Church of St. Mary and the Martyrs.
Description
The inscription on the facade reads: “M. Agrippa L. F. Cos. Tertium Fecit ". It translates as: "Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, three times consul, did." The structure is unique in its complexity: the dome was built 2 millennia ago, without using a metal frame. The craftsmen created the dome using only concrete and additives (and its weight, according to scientists, is about 5 tons!). In addition, all the columns and marble floors are so well made that after many centuries not a single crack has appeared on them!
The Pantheon is a huge rotunda topped with a huge dome - its diameter is 44 meters with a small hole in the center. Apart from him - the opeon - there is not a single window in the building. A portico with 16 columns leads to the interior. The height of the entire structure is a little over 42 meters.
Statues of deities were previously installed in niches along the perimeter of the territory of the temple, on which, during the year, light fell alternately from the hole in the dome. They were later replaced by sculptures and paintings from the 18th century. Around the circumference of the rotunda there are 6 semicircular niches with columns (chapels) and 8 protruding annexes with niches (tabernacles). In one of the chapels, the Italian king Victor-Emmanuel II is buried, and in one of the tabernacles there is the grave of Raphael.
Exact address and directions
The Pantheon is located in the Piazza della Rotonda (Fontana di Piazza della rotonda). The closest metro station to the ancient cultural monument is Barberini.
Schedule and opening hours
The temple is open every day for everyone from 8:30 to 19:30 on weekdays and on Saturday. Sunday - from 9:00 to 18:00. The Pantheon is closed for visits only for two days a year - January 1 and December 25, when Catholics celebrate Christmas.
Excursions and entrance fees
The entrance is free.
The Pantheon is a few blocks from other Roman landmarks such as the Forum, the Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museum. Therefore, his visit is included as one of the points of a single route through the center of Rome.
If you want to visit the Pantheon, there is no point in taking a guide for the visit. Information about the structure, its purpose and history on the Internet is full. By the way, the Italians have many legends about this ancient building. For example, like this: the Pantheon was erected in the place where Romulus, the founder of Italy, once ascended to heaven. In addition, Italians believe that the foundation of the building was erected on earth mixed with coins. Another legend says: when Nicolaus Copernicus came to the Pantheon, he finally formulated his heliocentric theory, considering a spherical dome.
It is worth recalling that the Pantheon is still considered a functioning church, therefore the same rules apply as in other temples. You can come in clothes that cover your arms and legs. The phone will have to be turned off during the visit; taking photographs for memory is not prohibited by the rules.
