Pantheon in Rome: the preserved temple of all the gods of ancient Rome

The pantheon in Rome is a giant success of ancient architects. It is one of the most impressive and best-preserved ancient monuments in Europe. Dedicated to the divine patrons of Rome, it was supposed to be and is perfect to this day, although it is nearly 2,000 years old! The dome, the largest unsupported one made of unreinforced concrete so far, allows you to look at the heavens and admire the genius of the creators. It has survived to our times intact since the second century, mainly because in the seventh century it was renamed the Christian church. I highly recommend visiting this amazing building. In the article you will find information about its history, arrival, interesting facts and practical tips for tourists.

Location and access

The Pantheon is located in Piazza della Rotonda, in the heart of Rome's historic center. From the square there are charming streets, with cafes and restaurants, leading to other nearby attractions. This makes it easily accessible to tourists.

How to get there?

• By metro: the nearest metro station is Barberini (line A), from there you can reach it on foot in about 15 minutes
• By bus: the Largo di Torre Argentina stop is nearby, from where you can reach it in about 5 minutes. There are many lines here
• Tram: Line 8 stops near Piazza Venezia and takes about 10 minutes to get there
• By taxi: this way you can get to the very square della Rotonda

Regardless of which transport you choose, it is also worth enjoying the charm of walking around the area, as it provides a pleasant experience that will stay with you for a long time.

Pantheon - the temple of all the gods of ancient Rome

The pantheon was built as a significant temple, dedicated to Roman deities. The most important of them were honored here. The name itself reflects this form of things, because the Greek words pan and theoi mean all gods, respectively. That's why it was created on such a grand scale and had to be so perfect.

Architecture of the ancient Pantheon in Rome

The design and architecture of this colossus is delightful and even overwhelming. The facade is decorated with a colonnade consisting of 16 columns. Each of them is 13 meters high and was made of one piece, or rather a piece of granite. The game of lights is amazing here, and as you delve into them, a giant gate will bring you inside the pantheon. They weigh 20 tons and date back to the time of the temple's construction.

Pantheon interior: dome with oculus

When you step inside, you immediately draw attention to what is most significant. The dominant element of the building is the dome and it puts the pantheon in a series of the most outstanding buildings that have been created on earth. It has a diameter of 43.4 meters and is designed in such a way that it does not contain any supports. It was made of Roman concrete, unarmed. And here is the icing on the cake, as if this genius was not enough, in the middle of it there is an oculus, i.e. a hole through which divine light can flow onto you. Water can also run off, because it is an ordinary hole uncovered by anything, also rain falls inside and flows out through special holes in the profiled floor. Looking up, it seems to you that the oculus is not very large, maybe two meters high. In fact, it is as much as 8 meters long, and only because of the size of the rotunda does it seem tiny.

Christian temple

The pantheon survived the Middle Ages in such good condition, because already in the 7th century a church of Christians called Basilica Santa Maria ad Martyres was built here. It continues to this day and there are regular services here. In this temple you will find the graves of two eminent Italian kings: Victor Emmanuel II and Umberto I, and the famous artist Rafael Santi. The interior is available to visitors for a fee.

Interesting facts about the Roman Pantheon

• The dome of the Pantheon has both a diameter and a height of 43.4 meters. It's the perfect harmony of proportions
• The interior of the temple could accommodate a perfect ball with a diameter corresponding to the size of the rotunda
• The oculus at the top is as much as 8 meters in diameter, it is an unprotected hole through which rain falls inside. It is also the only source of light in the interior outside the door
• Originally, the roof of the temple was covered with bronze, but it was removed by the popes for the needs of other buildings
• For centuries, the pantheon has been a great inspiration and a book of knowledge for artists. Michelangelo studied it for a long time before creating the vault of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Also in Malta, a confusingly similar Rotunda in the Bridge was built in the 19th century.

Practical information about the monument

• Opening hours: The Pantheon is open daily, 9.30 - 18.30 (hours may vary depending on the season)
• Tickets: €5 for an adult, children under 18 free of charge
• Tickets to the pantheon can be bought immediately before the tour, the queue is set up from the morning, but you do not have to wait too long
• Dress: The pantheon serves as a church, so it is worth paying attention to appropriate clothing, i.e. covered shoulders and knees
• Sightseeing: You can use the guide or audio guide to explore the history and symbolism of this place
• Attention! Keep an eye on your belongings and watch out for pickpockets and thieves, especially in a crowd of tourists, thefts happen here very often and can be very sophisticated

History of the building

The pantheon was originally erected by Marcus Agrippa, son-in-law and right-hand man of Emperor Octavian Augustus, in 27 BC. In this way, he celebrated the victory over Mark Antony and Cleopatra. It had a rectangular shape and was dedicated to all Roman gods. After the great fire of Rome in 80 AD, it was rebuilt by Emperor Domitian, but it was destroyed again as a result of a lightning strike in 110.

The current structure dates back to the time of Emperor Hadrian and stood around 125. When rebuilding the pantheon, he ordered to leave an inscription commemorating Mark Agrippa: M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS· TERTIVM ·FECIT, which means: "Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, consul for the third time, built it". The architect of the masterpiece is probably Apollodorus of Damascus.

In the 7th century, and most likely in 609, the Pantheon was transformed into a Christian church, which saved it from destruction during the Middle Ages. The Catholic Church of the Virgin Mary of the Martyrs (Basilica Santa Maria ad Martyres) functions here to this day and services are regularly held here.

The pantheon is not only a testimony to the power of ancient Rome, but also a place full of spiritual significance and architectural genius. Whether you are a lover of history, architecture or simply a tourist discovering the charms of the Eternal City, visiting this place will be an unforgettable experience.

Piazza della Rotonda

Piazza della Rotonda is a very popular and charming place. In its central part, the Fontana del Pantheon attracts attention. Together with the temple in the background, it is a beautiful scenery for photos. On warm days, it gives coolness, throughout the year it adorns the square, which still in the nineteenth century housed a fish market. Today, during the day, you will see horse-drawn carriages here. However, then it is also crowded, so it is worth going here also after sunset, when the monument is spectacularly illuminated, and between the columns of the pantheon the navy blue sky and the light of the city lanterns flash.

Other things to do in the Eternal City

Rome offers countless monuments. It is a kind of museum under a cloud, where you will find magnificent buildings at every step. Here are some of the highlights:

• Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva - one of the few Gothic temples in Rome, stands on the adjacent square
• Trevi Fountain - the most famous Roman fountain, with a stunning Baroque façade
• Colosseum - the largest amphitheater in history, lasting from the first century to today
• Spanish Steps
• Altar of the Fatherland - a monstrous statue of King Victor Emmanuel, by the way, a free vantage point for the whole city
• Vatican City- the smallest country in the world, completely inscribed on the UNESCO List

Accommodations in Rome

Accommodation in the city itself is not cheap, and we traveled together, so we decided to go to hu Roma Camping In Town, located several kilometers from the center, at Via Aurelia 831. It's a 15-minute drive from the Vatican. Cornelia metro station (line A) can be reached quickly by bus. We used to take line 246.

Here you will find a wide selection of accommodations. By booking your stay on Booking.com through our link, you support the development of our blog — and we thank you in advance! It helps us reach many interesting places that we later love to show you and share our experiences and information with you.

Rent a car

Exploring becomes much easier when you have your own means of transport. You don’t have to worry about buses or taxis, and you can plan each day your way. The search box below will help you find the right car – right where your journey begins.

What's worth seeing in the area?

You don't have to travel far to find more interesting places. Within a radius of 100 kilometers, there are many attractions waiting for you that will certainly enrich your stay Your trip with additional memories.

• Trevi Fountain in Rome, distance: 0.6  km
• Altar of the Fatherland in Rome, distance: 0.6  km
• Colosseum in Rome, distance: 1.5  km
• Rome, distance: 1.5  km
• Vatican City, distance: 1.7  km