Pantheon
A tour by bike, scooter, or Vespa is the perfect way to explore Rome and experience the Pantheon and other historical monuments to the fullest. These tours allow you to move nimbly through traffic and enjoy the city from a unique perspective. By choosing a guided tour, you can discover the history of the Pantheon and Rome’s other masterpieces such as the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and the Vatican, with the convenience of a quick and versatile vehicle.
What you need to know about the Pantheon
Rome’s Pantheon is a must-see attraction, a symbol of ancient Roman engineering and architecture. Located in the historic center of Rome, near Piazza Navona, this temple dedicated to all the Roman deities is known for its extraordinary dome, the largest in unreinforced concrete in the world, with the distinctive oculus in the center that illuminates the interior with mystical light. Visiting the Pantheon is like stepping back in time and touching the fascination of Roman history.
Rome’s Pantheon has a fascinating history dating back thousands of years to ancient Rome. Originally built in 27 BC by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, son-in-law and friend of Emperor Augustus, it was later rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian around 120 AD. The structure we see today dates from this Hadrianic rebuilding, as the original temple was damaged by fire.
The word Pantheon comes from the Greek and means “temple of all the gods.” In fact, the original intent was to consecrate the temple to all Roman gods, although its specific function remains partly shrouded in mystery. What makes the Pantheon unique is its perfectly spherical dome, a masterpiece of engineering and architectural symmetry, with a diameter of 43.3 meters that is exactly equal to the height of the structure, creating a perfect hemisphere shape.
In the center of the dome is theoculus, a circular opening that is about 9 meters in diameter. This opening allows natural light to illuminate the interior of the temple and symbolizes a direct connection with heaven and the deities. Despite the opening, the dome is so well designed that rainwater is drained through a system of small holes in the floor.
In 609 AD, the Pantheon was converted into a Christian church by Pope Boniface IV and dedicated to “Santa Maria ad Martyres.” This change of use allowed the Pantheon to remain intact to the present day, as many pagan temples were destroyed or abandoned with the advent of Christianity. Today, the Pantheon is not only a symbol of ancient Rome but also a burial place for such illustrious figures as Raphael Sanzio and Italian kings Victor Emmanuel II and Umberto I.
Curiosities
Here are some interesting facts about Rome’s Pantheon:
- Unsupported dome: The Pantheon’s dome, built entirely of unreinforced concrete, is still the world’s largest dome without reinforcement. The Romans used lighter and lighter materials as they approached the top of the dome to reduce the overall weight, switching from stone to pumice.
- The oculus and its purpose: The central opening of the dome, called the “oculus,” is the Pantheon’s only source of natural light. It is thought to have symbolic significance, representing the eye of heaven, and is known to create a light show inside, illuminating different parts of the building throughout the day.
- Sundial function: It is believed that the Pantheon’s oculus also functioned as a solar sundial. The beam of light, at noon, directly strikes the entrance specifically during the spring and autumn equinox, signaling the passage of the seasons and natural cycles.
- Mysterious Construction: Although the Pantheon is one of the best-preserved monuments in Rome, it remains a mystery as to how the Romans managed to create such a massive and durable dome. The precise technology and techniques used have, in fact, been lost over the centuries.
- Original inscription: On the facade of the Pantheon is the inscription “M.AGRIPPA.L.F.COS.TERTIVM.FECIT,” meaning “Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, consul for the third time, built [questo edificio]” This inscription dates back to the original construction, although today’s structure was rebuilt by Hadrian about a century later.
- Raphael and the Pantheon: The famous Renaissance painter Raphael Sanzio is buried in the Pantheon. It is said that Raphael himself chose the Pantheon as his burial place because of his admiration for the building’s architecture. His tomb can still be visited and is decorated with an epitaph written in Latin.
- Mysterious Coins: During renovations, Roman coins were found in several places in the building, perhaps left by workers of the time as a form of good luck for the building. These findings testify to the ancient custom of leaving symbols of prosperity inside buildings.
- Water reserve: The Pantheon is equipped with a fully functioning drainage system. When it rains, water entering from the oculus is disposed of through 22 drainage holes located in the floor, preventing flooding.
These details make the Pantheon a monument rich in historical, symbolic and technical significance, a true masterpiece that testifies to the extraordinary skill of Roman engineers.
Choose your favorite Vespa tour to visit Rome
Grand Tour of Rome
Rome Movie Set
Castelli Romani
Rome and Ostia Antica
