 | Rome Pantheon Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 301 |  |
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The Pantheon, the temple to “all the gods,” was spared destruction because it was given to a religion with one god. Lucky for us.
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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| | | | Pantheon: Pantheon inside and out | Tip Rating: | | | | |
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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| | | | Pantheon: Piazza della Rotonda | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Another meeting point. The first thing that strikes you: The Pantheon. This jewel of Roman architecture just dominates this charming place. Very busy, filled with terraces, restaurants and bars (and Mc Donald's handling tourists), this cool little piazzas a also a nice place to stop and relax along your journey through Rome’s streets. In the middle of the square, is another fountain, this time, by Giacomo della Porta(and another obelisk). As you may or may not know, most of Rome’s fountain water is drinkable and you’ll probably notice those little “nose”-like fountains you can find almost everywhere in Rome (and it’s most welcome with Rome’s hot summers). Put your finger in the nose and the water will spring from a little hole on top so you don’t need to use some acrobatic positions to refresh yourself. Explore the streets around, especially on the right side of the square, turning your back to the Pantheon where you will find little jewelry and vintage clothes stores. And oh, don’t forget the Pantheon! Leave a Comment
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| | | | Pantheon: The Pantheon, Part II | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Inside the Pantheon, you will note that sixteen monolithic granite columns support the portico. At one time, the ceiling of this portico was covered with bronze, which weighed about 450 pounds, but it was removed by order of a ruler in the middle 1600s. Then, Bernini used that brass for the high altar at St. Peter's. However, the bronze doors are original.
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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| | | | Pantheon: Perfect Architecture | Tip Rating: | | | | |
I had always heard that the Pantheon was perfect. After seeing it, I must agree.
I was overwhelmed with its simple beauty. It is supposedly Rome's best preserved monument of antiquity, probably because it was transformed from a temple that honored all the Roman Gods of Mythology into a Christian church, honoring one God.
While viewing the Pantheon, I learned that the building is 142 feet wide and 142 feet tall. Once, the empty spots surrounding the portico contained statues of Roman gods, and animals were actually sacrificed in the center beneath the dome.
The coffered dome has an 18-foot hole called an "oculus" in the middle where light streams in. This is the dome that inspired Michelangelo's St. Peter's dome.
Marcus Agrippa built the Pantheon, but Hadrian later rebuilt it as a temple for all the gods. Most books refer to it as "an architectural marvel", and I agree.
It's open: Mon-Sat 9a.m.-6:30p.m.
Sun 9a.m.-1p.m.
Believe it or not, admission is FREE!
Even if you usually dislike tourist places, the Pantheon is really a must see. Leave a Comment Address: Piazza della RotondaPhone: 06-6830-0230
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