Pantheon Reviews (Rome, Italy)

Perfectly proportioned Pantheon

Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

November 26, 2012

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Best of IgoUgo The Pantheon is one of the oldest Christian churches in Rome and was a pagan temple before that. It's still a church now and has been since the 7th century. It's one of the best preserved buildings from ancient Rome as well. It was built as a ...Read more

From journal Visiting Italy: Roma

One of the most preserved buildings of ancient Rome!

by linzeeloulabelle

Grimsby, England, United Kingdom

July 5, 2012

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Best of IgoUgo The Pantheon was one of the things in Rome that was high on my to-do list although I’m not too sure why. I knew that it had something to do with the Gods and for me that was enough to want to see it. == Getting there == The main problem with the ...Read more The Pantheon was one of the things in Rome that was high on my to-do list although I’m not too sure why. I knew that it had something to do with the Gods and for me that was enough to want to see it.

== Getting there ==
The main problem with the Pantheon is getting there. It is not near any metro stop and the closest is Barberini although this is still a 10-15 minute walk away. We headed to the Pantheon after visiting the Trevi Fountain and we got extremely lost. The area has one or two signs saying which way to go but they are very far apart and not helpful at all. The area is full of small, narrow streets which are not marked on maps so finding the Pantheon was quite difficult for us.

== Opening hours ==
Monday – Saturday: 9am until 6:30pm
Sunday: 9am until 1pm

== What is it? ==
The Pantheon is one of the most well preserved of the ancient Roman buildings, specifically, churches. The Pantheon is a Roman temple which was dedicated to the Pagan Gods. The Pantheon that stood before the one seen today was burnt to the ground in about 80AD and then replaced by the Emperor Hadrian. During his time, Hadrian did not put his name to many of the buildings he produced, only one, which is why the Pantheon does not have his name on it.

== My experience ==
Upon reaching the Pantheon, I was amazed by the sight in front of me. The Piazza della Rotonda, the square in front of the main building is impressive enough with its stunning fountain and lots of people walking around. To get a really good view of the Pantheon, it is best to stand near the fountain to be able to take it all in. The square also has its own tale to tell as this is where Romulus, the founder of Rome died and is said to have been taken away by an eagle and taken to the Gods.

I spent quite some time looking out the outside of the building as I think the architecture is stunning. After looking at it from a distance, getting up close was even better. I loved weaving my way in and out of the columns at the front of the building before heading inside. Entrance to the Pantheon is free although donations are taken to carry on with the superb upkeep of the building. What amazes me about this building is that it is still used today as a church, showing what a sturdy and reliable structure it really is.

To enter the Pantheon, you must pass through a set of immense bronze doors. Just walking through these impressed me as I wondered how much they would weigh and what they would have cost to build at the time the Pantheon was created. As soon as I stepped foot into the building, the only thing that I could notice was the massive dome, which the Pantheon is quite famous for. The dome is made out of concrete and was the largest in the world for many hundreds of years. The size of the dome is an equal 142 ft. in diameter with a hole (oculus) in the middle which is 8m wide. The oculus is the only source of light in the Pantheon and it does give the whole building an eerie feel to it.

Once I could take my eyes off of the dome, I noticed the other things the Pantheon had to offer. The whole building is decorated with coloured marble so it is beautiful in itself. Around the interior of the building are tombs of ancient Italian kings as well as the artist Raphael. Around the sides of the building are numerous smaller chapels. Although the interior is quite interesting, the dome and the exterior interested me far more due to the way that they would have been built in ancient times.

As the Pantheon is free of charge, it would be a real shame to miss out on such an amazing building which is still in such good condition. Although it was a pain to get to, I would advise planning out a route well beforehand and making it easier on yourselves.
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From journal Rome pt.2

Temple of the Gods

by Zhebiton

Moscow, Moskva, Russia

May 22, 2011

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Not far from Piazza Navona is the Pantheon - the temple of all gods, he is - the tomb of celebrities such as Raphael and Vittorio Emanuele. The huge dome of the Pantheon is an engineering and architectural masterpiece: its diameter is 45 meters, ...Read more Not far from Piazza Navona is the Pantheon - the temple of all gods, he is - the tomb of celebrities such as Raphael and Vittorio Emanuele.

The huge dome of the Pantheon is an engineering and architectural masterpiece: its diameter is 45 meters, with a single support for the dome there. In the middle of - a wide round hole, from where light penetrates the temple.

Tourists are often lured to the Pantheon opportunity at noon to see this column of light, so dense, almost tangible. Wanting to behold a miracle will announce that this post is visible only in the summer when the sun is high, and the rest of the year and there is nothing to fuss.

Pantheon - Temple of all Gods in Rome, an architectural monument, the only ancient building in Rome, have survived not in ruins. The date of its inception believe 27 BC, although the first building destroyed by fire between 118 and 125 years. BC, and after its rebuilt in the II century AD under the Emperor Hadrian.

Centered design of a new temple was circular room - the original word in the architecture of those times. The emperor wanted to shape the church talked about the inviolability of the empire, and that the person in it, felt in the center of the universe. For this purpose was created unusual for ancient religious buildings grand dome (diameter over 43 m) with a circular hole at the top diameter of 9 m. This is the "eye" is the only source of lighting in the church. It also had to serve as a "window into heaven", so that during prayer the faithful to turn their gaze directly into the sky where the gods lived.

The origin of this "eye" surrounded by legends. One of them says that during pereosvyascheniya temple demons were scattered out of the building, and the most enormous flew through the roof of the building, breaking the horns of a hole.

Pantheon - a unique monument of ancient monumental art. Michelangelo found his "angelic and not human creation." A great artist admired the majesty of the facade of the Pantheon, with its sixteen 12-meter columns, a grand dome height of 43.5 meters (exceeding Cathedral of St. Peter's in Rome and Maria del Fiore in Florence) and the internal space that can accommodate over 2000 people.

Subsequently, the church was renamed Santa Maria al-Martires, and it became the burial place of the great Italians, including two first Italian King - Victor Emmanuel II and Umberto I, Queen Margherita, the genius of Raphael painting, the architect Baldassare Peruzzi.

The huge dome glittering in the sun gilded bronze, until it was removed by order of Pope Urban VIII (Maffeo Barberini) for the sculptor Lorenzo Bernini to make a canopy for the Cathedral of St. Peter. In the history of Rome became a sad pun: "What the barbarians did not do, Barberini did."

Huge beautifully preserved buildings and majestic sad medieval interiors inside worthy of attention. Close

From journal Rome is the 3rd Most Visited City in the EU

The Pantheon

by Jctravel1983

Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands

November 30, 2010

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Best of IgoUgo IntroductionWhat is Rome still a beautiful city! For seven days I was in Rome. The whole town is really just as a big museum. While walking in the modern center of Rome is, you just see so much. So you see between the streets suddenly the Trevi ...Read more

From journal Going to Rome

Even Mere Mortals Can Experience a Bit of Heavenly Space

by AnythngArt

Rockford, Illinois

March 3, 2010

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Best of IgoUgo Although the Pantheon has changed over the years, losing some of its gilded sparkle, it has lost none of its wonder. Today, it stands (much as it did in the year 120 AD) to awe those mere mortals who enter it. Standing below the great oculus, ...Read more Although the Pantheon has changed over the years, losing some of its gilded sparkle, it has lost none of its wonder. Today, it stands (much as it did in the year 120 AD) to awe those mere mortals who enter it. Standing below the great oculus, looking up, it surely impresses visitors as a place of gods.

The Pantheon (originally Greek, "pan" = "all" and "theon" = "gods") was originally built as a temple to honor all of the pagan gods worshipped by the Roman people. Today it is considered not only a treasure of Italy, but the world as UNESCO has declared it (and other parts of Ancient Rome) a World Heritage Site, recognizing its importance to all humanity.

Originally built in 27 AD by Emperor Augustus’s general, Agrippa (whose name remains on the building to this day), the Pantheon that has existed throughout the centuries to the present day is the vision of another man, the Emperor Hadrian. Hadrian is considered to be one of the most prolific and architecturally astute builders in the Roman Empire. Agrippa’s Pantheon was replaced in 120 AD by Hadrian with one that was perfect in dimensions, 141 feet high by 141 feet wide, using a vast dome.

This majestic circular building is modeled on the concept of a sphere, designed to parallel the known universe at the time. Resting atop a concrete ring are five levels. Each level symbolizes a planet (only five planets were known to exist in Ancient Rome). Each level contains 28 trapezoid-shaped indentations (or coffers), which represent the lunar cycles. At the top of the dome is a huge opening (30 feet in diameter), which not only serves as the temple’s light source, but represents the sun, giving life to the planets. This opening, or "oculus" at the Pantheon’s apex is symbolic of "the all-seeing eye of heaven."

Below these celestial symbols were seven large openings ("niches") that once contained statues of the Roman gods, including Mars, Mercury, and other gods, as well as the godlike Caesar ("Emperor") of the time.

Like many Roman structures, however, the Pantheon has been subject to plunder. Throughout Rome’s history, buildings of Ancient Rome have been plundered for their resources to build new structures. Temples become churches, marble is removed to create palaces. The Pantheon was no different. Although consecrated as a church in 608 AD, in 655 AD, the gilded bronze, which covered the Pantheon, was removed for other purposes. Later, in the 17th century, the bronze beams of the Pantheon’s columned portico were taken by Pope Urban VIII for use on the high altar at St. Peter’s Basilica. Throughout the years, much of the marble facing was removed, as were the bronze stars which appeared in each of the coffers. Despite this defacing and plundering, it seems even more amazing that the Pantheon stands all these centuries later in one piece. Moreover, its bronze doors (with bronze such a valuable commodity in Ancient Rome) remain original, dating back more than 1,800 years!

Not only was the Pantheon temple plundered, its look and purpose have changed over the years. Where the portico remains, once stood two Baroque Bell Towers designed by Bernini. Ridiculed for their appearance (the Romans called them "donkey’s ears"), they were torn down. The Pantheon also became an important burial ground, and two Italian rulers from the 19th century lie in rest at the Pantheon, Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I. Perhaps even more famous is the artist Raphael, whose tomb can be found between the second and third chapels.

It’s been called "the only architecturally perfect building in the world." Rome’s Pantheon, created by using basic mathematical principles, is an example of perfect balance and proportion. Not only that, the Pantheon is the oldest surviving structurally intact building from antiquity. While there are many ruins in Rome, there is only one Pantheon.

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An Amazing Feat of Architecture!

by morph!

Belfast, United Kingdom

March 24, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo When you think how old the Pantheon is, built in an era without cranes or electricity, it really makes you appreciate the building even more! Built with a diameter equal to its height and a dome for a ceiling - with a hole in the top for light to ...Read more

From journal Rome - THE Cultural Capital

The Most Enchanting Building in Roma

by Praskipark

Warsaw, Poland

January 19, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo Il Pantheon--------------The word pantheon is made up of two Greek words pan which means everything and teon which means divine. Reading up about the history of this wonderful building there seems to be several different opinions of when it was ...Read more Il Pantheon
--------------

The word pantheon is made up of two Greek words pan which means everything and teon which means divine. Reading up about the history of this wonderful building there seems to be several different opinions of when it was actually built. It seems that the first building was a small temple built between 27 and 25 BC. It was built by the son in law of the Emperor Augustus, Marcus Agrippa, and was dedicated to all Roman Gods. This building was burnt in a fire in AD 80 and rebuilt. Again it was struck by lightning and destroyed in AD 110 Third time lucky, in AD 118 a new building was constructed under Emperor Hadrian's instructions and this time the design was changed which has proved to be lasting as the construction is one of the best preserved buildings in Rome.

The Pantheon is situated in the Piazza della Rotunda, a busy square with a central fountain, not far from the Piazza Navone. It is said that the place on which it was built was a legendary place in the history of Rome. It is where Romulus, the founder of Rome died and was seized by an eagle and taken off into the heavens with the Gods.

Michelangelo was impressed with the beauty of the building and according to history books was known to have said that it was the work of angels not men.

I think I would probably agree with the great artist. It is certainly impressive from the outside. The columns that are used for the portico are enormous and apparantley weighed 60 tons.They were brought from Egypt to Rome on barges . Absolutely amazing.

I was impressed to find that Raphael's tomb is inside the building as he has been an artist that I have admired for a long time. Also, Victor Hugo, several Kings and Queens of Italy are buried there with other famous Italians.

The dome is absolutely spectacular and my brain ached thinking about the weight of the dome and what they had used to support it. Coffers(sunken panels) were used in the ceiling and the fact that it is open at the top helps to ease the weight of the dome. In one of the guide books it states that the concrete walls at the base were 6 metres thick. That's a lot of concrete!

This is a truly remarkable building and I must say this about all of Rome's beauties but the Pantheon is really worth seeing. You will be enchanted with it.

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From journal Six Days in Eternity

Pantheon

by fionademp

London, United Kingdom

June 6, 2008

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The Pantheon The Pantheon borders on the Piazza della Rotonda and is not far from the Piazza Navone. The building's dome, is really impressive and was, at one time the largest in the world. At the top of the dome is a large opening, the oculus, ...Read more

From journal Rome in September

The Pantheon

by mlmeredith

St. Louis, Missouri

August 10, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo Of all the sights in Rome, I think the one that most impressed me was the Pantheon. This has to be one of the great spiritual buildings I’ve ever encountered. It was built as a Roman temple, and later became a Catholic Church (Chiesa di Santa Maria ...Read more

From journal First Time to Italy

Pantheon

by rufusni

Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

August 1, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo This is one of the few buildings that have survived fairly intact from ancient Rome dating from 125 A.D., although was an earlier pantheon here from 27 B.C. Its name implies that this was a temple to many gods, but it isn't clear how it was used for ...Read more This is one of the few buildings that have survived fairly intact from ancient Rome dating from 125 A.D., although was an earlier pantheon here from 27 B.C. Its name implies that this was a temple to many gods, but it isn't clear how it was used for worship. However, in 609 A.D. it was consecrated as a Christian church and dedicated to Santa Maria ad Martyres. This conversion into a church is the reason that the building has been maintained, and it is still used now with mass said on Sundays at the altar. Much of the building's lavish decoration has been removed over the years including stripping the bronze roof. However, it is the architecture of this building that is breathtaking.

You wander from narrow streets into a piazza that is dominated by the Pantheon. The square has various cafés around the edge but it is quite noisy and busy with tourists and not really the most pleasant setting, there are more pleasant piazzas close by. The grandeur of the Pantheon is clear but it is unfortunately crowded by the surrounding buildings so that it cannot be fully appreciated.

The interior is quite amazing because of the architectural design rather than the decor. The dome is quite spectacular and was the largest dome in the world for hundreds of years. The dome was created by pouring many rings of concrete mixed with volcanic pumice stone. The dome has a equal diameter and height at 142 feet and has an open oculus of 8 metres diameter. The oculus is the only source of natural light in the building and is quite amazing as a distinct and visible beam of light radiates down. Beneath the floor is sloped into drains so if rain falls through the oculus it runs off. The interior of the dome has five rows of 28 square coffers that increase in size from the oculus. These indented squares make the dome look stunning with the pattern of light and shadow created by them.

Around the circular interior of the building, which is decorated with coloured marble, are various side chapels and niches, including the tomb of the artist Raphael, and several Italian kings also had tombs created here. However, these are probably of less interest that the incredible structure which you can tell simply by the number of people staring up. The building with its dome and portico has been an inspiration for many buildings, and Michaelango apparently studied the dome here as well.

This is an incredible example of Roman architecture that I found well worth visiting. It is open daily from 9am to 6.30pm except on Sunday when it closes at 1pm. Entrance is free, and there is no queuing normally as the building is so huge inside there is room for a large crowd. Close

From journal Glimpsing Rome

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Perfectly proportioned Pantheon

One of the most preserved buildings of ancient Rome!

Temple of the Gods

The Pantheon

Even Mere Mortals Can Experience a Bit of Heavenly Space

An Amazing Feat of Architecture!

The Most Enchanting Building in Roma

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The Pantheon

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Perfectly proportioned Pantheon

One of the most preserved buildings of ancient Rome!

Temple of the Gods

The Pantheon

Even Mere Mortals Can Experience a Bit of Heavenly Space

An Amazing Feat of Architecture!

The Most Enchanting Building in Roma

Pantheon

The Pantheon

Pantheon