Michelangelo, one of the greatest artists of the Renaissance era described the Pantheon of Italy as the work of angels, not men.
The Roman Pantheon is a monument so perfect in design and purpose. The Greek words pan and theon, mean all and gods.
The Pantheon is one of the most famous Rome monuments located right in the heart of the city. Google map will show that the Pantheon is at the center of a labyrinthine set of cobbled alleys and small streets and towers above one of Rome’s most beautiful squares, Piazza della Rotonda.
Where the Pantheon stand is not by chance but is believed to be a legendary place in the city’s history. The Roman legend tells the location where the Pantheon is built is the place where the founder of Rome, Romulus, at his death was seized by an eagle and taken off into the skies with the Gods.
Tourists describe the Pantheon as a sphere symbolizing the vault of heaven. The height of the dome is the same as its diameter which creates a perfect balance and a unique harmony. It has a square exterior but a round interior. Round premises assured to place all Gods at the same level of importance.
Here are things to learn when visiting the amazing and historic Pantheon of Italy.
Admission is free
Opening hours: Weekdays: 8.30 am to 7.30 pm (last entry 7.15 pm).
Sunday: 9.00 am to 6.00 pm (last entry 5.45 pm).
However, Due to the global pandemic, the Pantheon is open from 9.00-19.00 (last admission 18.30), in accordance with the recent provisions of the DCPM and in compliance with the necessary safety measures. Access to places of culture is allowed from 6.8.
Reservations are required on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays
Close on January 1, May 1, and December 25.
Visiting the Pantheon on Your Own: To have a better chance of seeing and appreciating this timeless and splendid national Mausoleum, go early in the morning as it can get crowded throughout the day.
Booking: Click on legitimate booking sites for your preferred tour package. It is wise to book at least a week in advance. The Pantheon is a functioning church and hosts religious celebrations and events on several days, with prior booking, you know what to expect. You can plan your itinerary well.
Dress Code
The Pantheon is a Christian church and requires its visitors to wear modest attire. This means no bare shoulders, no super miniskirts, no shorts, and no ultra-distracting accessories.
Modest attire will be those that do not offend the attire custom of the place.
Have a physical map or Google map. A handy map will give important information in a simple and visual way.
List the things you like to do.
Photographing the Pantheon: Visitors are allowed to take photos. Snaps here, there, and everywhere in the majestic place will make memories alive. A pose beside the monumental tombs is a coveted souvenir. It is featured that the best light is around noon when the sun shines through the oculus. The most dramatic view in the Pantheon is taken from directly beneath the oculus, aiming straight up.
Research.
When traveling, a must-do is to know the place. Is it a safe place? How to go there? What are the tourist destinations? What are the cuisines? How much will be the needed budget? and other bits and pieces about the place.
Interesting facts to know about the Pantheon
1. The Pantheon is ancient Rome’s temple to all the gods
Pantheon means ‘all gods’ in Greek. It is Rome’s grandest and most impressive temple. Its dome is described to resemble the heavens. History says that the Pantheon was originally decorated with statues representing the greatest gods of Roman religion.
2. The Pantheon has the largest unsupported concrete dome in the world
In the nearly 2,000 years since the Pantheon was completed, it is reported that there had been no unreinforced concrete dome anywhere in the world that has ever been built on such a scale. The canny Roman engineers were experts in concrete, and by adjusting the make-up of the aggregate they succeeded in making the structure of the dome lighter as it rose towards the top.
3. The massive columns holding up the portico came all the way from Egypt
The grand entrance portico was erected by massive teams of toiling laborers. It is held up by sixteen enormous granite columns, each measuring 40 feet tall and 5 feet in diameter. The monolithic columns were quarried and carved in the far-off mountains of Eastern Egypt before being transported across thousands of miles of land and sea. Dragged on carts down from the quarries to the Nile, the columns were then loaded onto massive barges and floated downriver to Alexandria, where they were hauled onto waiting ships for their seaward journey to Italy.
4. The Pantheon was converted into a Christian church in the 7th century
In the year 609 AD, the Pantheon which is a Roman pagan temple was converted into a Christian church. The consecratory rites were presided over by Pope Bonifcace IV. Officially, the temple is now called the Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres. The conversion played a key role in the Pantheon’s survival, as the papacy had the resources to repair and maintain it.
5. Tomb for Italian kings and artists
The Pantheon is a temple and a burial place for illustrious Italians over the centuries. Raphael started a trend for artists to choose the Pantheon as the final resting place when he was interred in 1520. Dominating one wall of the interior is the tomb of King Vittorio Emanuele II, whose ascension to the throne was a key moment in the creation of the modern Italian state. The king is celebrated as “Padre della Patria,” or “Father of the Homeland” in massive lettering on his imposing sepulcher, which is guarded over by members of the Honour Guard to the Royal Tombs of the Pantheon. As tourists describe, the Savoy family coat of arms, a white cross on a red background, completes the ensemble. The king’s grand tomb is matched by that of his successor Umberto I, who rests in peace alongside his wife Queen Margarita, and other tombs you will see upon your visit.
Conclusion
There are a lot of reasons to visit the amazing and historic Pantheon of Italy. The spectacular history triggers the imagination of the life before and the challenges it overcame to preserve for the present.
The timeless Pantheon is worth exploring.