{"id":2688,"date":"2021-03-22T10:31:54","date_gmt":"2021-03-22T10:31:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vaticantour.com\/blog\/?p=2688"},"modified":"2021-03-22T11:46:33","modified_gmt":"2021-03-22T11:46:33","slug":"unlocking-the-mystery-of-the-pantheon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vaticantour.com\/blog\/unlocking-the-mystery-of-the-pantheon","title":{"rendered":"Unlocking the mystery of the Pantheon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you are visiting Rome then there is no doubt that you are\ngoing to visit one of our favourite monuments; the Pantheon. First of all, we\nwould like to note that the Pantheon (Rome, Italy) is very different from the Parthenon<\/a>\n(Athens, Greece). With that said, let\u2019s have a closer look at what makes this\ngrand temple so special.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When legendary sculptor, architect and painter Michelangelo\nfirst saw the Pantheon he said it could have only been built by angels. In\nfact, the dome of the Pantheon then gave much inspiration to Michelangelo when\nhe was put in charge of designing the dome of St Peter\u2019s Basilica.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pantheon today is one of the most well preserved Ancient\nsites in Rome. When you have the chance to stand in front of it, then enter\ninto its amazing hall, it is hard not to wonder how it survived the ravages of\ntime so well, when other monuments were reduced to ruins.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this is one of many mysteries that surround this temple\nwhich we are going to go over today.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The origin:<\/strong>  This ancient\nmonument was originally built as a pagan temple, the origin of which could be\ntraced back to 27 BC. However, the Pantheon that we get to marvel at now is not\nthe first Pantheon to be built. The first building got destroyed around 80 A.D.\nin a fire, it was rebuilt, but would not survive for long as it again was\ndestroyed in 110 A.D. This current\nversion was rebuilt in emperor Hadrian’s era in around 126AD still standing the\nway we see it today.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately the lack of\ndocumentation makes it impossible to know everything about this holy structure,\nthere is still plenty we can examine as humans have been in awe, and studying\nthis monument for thousands of years. \nThe name \u2018Pantheon\u2019 owes its origin to the Greek language where ‘pan’\ndenotes ‘all’ and ‘theos’ refers to ‘all gods’. And with this name we know that\nthe Pantheon was a pagan temple dedicated to all gods. What exactly happened in\nthe temple is still a mystery waiting to be solved.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the 7th century, the Pantheon\nwas no longer a temple for all of the gods, as it was converted into a\nchristian church and has since been officially named Basilica di Santa\nMaria ad Martyres (Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs). This\nconversion was the Pantheon\u2019s saving grace as it was now a Christian temple and\nneeded to be preserved.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Pantheon\nduring covid-19 lockdown.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The construction:<\/strong> This is one construction that has left historians\nand architects gaping in awe, mainly \nbecause of the famous spherical dome, along with its oculus, or, the eye\nof the Pantheon which is the open air hole in the center of the dome. Although\nmere bricks and concrete were the materials used for the construction, its\narchitectural brilliance continued to puzzle, inspire generations of architects\nand common beholders. This dome is still today the worlds\u2019 largest unreinforced\nconcrete dome in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the geometric patterns to the\nCorinthian columns that were imported from Egypt, the construction boasts of\nmany intriguing features. The design further surprises, with a dome weighing in\nat 4535 tonnes the structure cannot support windows so the only natural source\nof light comes through the oculus. As hole is open air, the inside of the\nPantheon is open to the elements so when it rains, it pours through the oculus\nof the Pantheon. However, with clever engineering, the weather has not affected\nthe structure of the Pantheon due to the well concealed holes in the floor\nwhich are used to drain any water and humidity. For someone to have come up with\nthese designs almost 2000 years ago is simply genius.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pantheon has also served as\nthe burial place for royals, as it holds the tomb of King Victor Emanuele II,\nKing Umberto I, amongst others. The illustrious painter Raphael is also buried\ninside the Pantheon.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What to expect:<\/strong>  The Pantheon\nwith all its wonders and mysteries await you in the eternal city. We suggest\navoiding a mid day visit so try to arrive in the morning, or in the afternoon\nso you can take your time to appreciate this ageless beauty. Stand in front of\nthe portico, take a look at the columns and when you are done surveying, it is\ntime to go inside and have a good look at the massive dome, check out the\noculus and wonder what inspired the genius who engineered this marvel in that\nancient age. When you are standing directly below the oculus, look down at the\nfloor to see if you can find the drainage holes in the marble. Look at the\nbeautiful art, the tombs and just try to imagine what the ancient Pagan temple\nwas like in its heyday, which divine beings were worshipped here.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rome with all its glory will never cease to surprise you but it’s always best to visit with a guide. We tour the Pantheon on our Dolce Vita Tour so if you are looking for special offers on pantheon tours<\/a> then book one of our Vatican Tours<\/a> and claim your second tour discount. The inspiration that runs through the very structure of the building is a clear indicator of the magnificence and opulence the eternal city was synonymous with.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pack your bags and come join us on the trip of a lifetime in Rome.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you are visiting Rome then there is no doubt that you are going to visit one of our favourite … Continue reading<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2694,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[7,6,23,24,25,27,21,22,3,5,131,2],"tags":[9,113,127,115,13,89,48,11,41,15,125],"yoast_head":"\nUnlocking the mystery of the Pantheon<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The alluring beauty of the Pantheon makes it one of the must visit attractions dotting the beautiful streets in Rome. 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