The Pantheon

Author: Serena

The Pantheon is one of the best preserved monuments in Rome. Placed at the hearth of the city, it has an extremely active social function because it hosts many wedding and sacred celebrations. Reading this page you will discover its history, its description and the zone where you can find it.

The Pantheon in Rome, panoramic view

Pantheon’s history

The construction of this monument began in the 27 Before Christ wanted by Marco Agrippa. The name “Pantheon” derives from the Greek παν, pan (whose meaning is “everybody”) and θεόν, theon (that means “gods”), and it was a temple dedicated to all gods. Completely burnt in the 80 (B.C.), restored by Domiziano, the Pantheon was carefully re-built by the Emperor Adriano.

During the Renaissance this monument was used as a grave. Here many important people were buried such as: Raffaello Sanzio , Annibale Carracci and the various Italy kings such as Vittorio Emanuele II, the queen Margherita and their son Umberto I.

The Pope turned the Pantheon in a Christian church (under the name of Sancta Maria ad Martyres) giving a new life to this monument transforming it from a pagan temple to a place dedicated to the Christian religion.

The description of the Pantheon

The Pantheon is placed in Piazza della Rotonda very closed to Piazza Minerva (Minerva Square). What you can admire still today of its structure dates back to the Roman Age.

Its durability is due to the construction techniques used in the ancient period: the addition of little parts of cement allowed the creation of a functional storm sewer that avoided the creation of air bubbles. Its dome is 43 metres high and it is the biggest one in the history of architecture.

The Pantheon Dome

At the middle of the dome there is a hole that creates very impressive light effects that highlight the opulence and the magnificence of this monument.

The Pantheon's Hole

The floor was intentionally built with a semi-convex shape to allow rainwater to flow away towards the little channels placed on the perimeter of the structure.

The external façade is made by 16 granite columns that are 14 metres high and the main bronze door dates back to the Ancient Rome.

The Pantheon external façade

The interior part of the Pantheon is decorated by many frescos and the most important among them is that by Melozzo, placed near the Vittorio Emanuele II grave.

How to arrive there
The Pantheon is placed in Piazza della Rotonda.
By subway the nearest stop is “Barberini” (Line A) that is 450 metres away from the Pantehon, however catching the bus you can admire all the historical and architectonical Roman marvels.
The buses that can bring you there are the numbers 30, 40, 62, 64, 81, 87 and 492: they all stop in Largo di Torre Argentina that is 400 metres away from the Pantheon.

Pantheon Opening Hours
You can visit this monument all the weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and during the festival days from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Places that deserve special attention in this area:

Piazza Navona , Campo de’Fiori, Fontana di Trevi , Piazza Venezia.

Overnight stay in the area

You can choose one of the several hotels placed in the historical centre or one of the cosy B&B placed in the centre of Rome.

Where to eat in the area

A few meters along from there you will find Piazza Navona with its typical restaurants.

Amusements in the area

You can have fun staying in one of the several pubs and night clubs placed in Campo de’ Fiori.