The Pantheon, a landmark in Rome, was first built in 27 BCE by Marcus Agrippa, a trusted friend of Emperor Augustus. Over a century later, Emperor Hadrian remodeled the building between AD 125 and 128, giving the Pantheon much of its present form. Originally, it served as a temple dedicated to all the gods of the Roman state. Since the 7th century, it has also functioned as a Christian church. Today, it is the only large structure from the ancient Graeco-Roman world that has survived mostly unchanged and has been in continuous use for nearly two thousand years. Visitors are asked to remain silent inside, as it still serves as a place of worship.
A Masterpiece of Ancient Architecture
The Pantheon is famous for its grand dome, one of the wonders of ancient architecture. Inside, visitors can spot marks where a bronze ceiling once covered the interior. During the rule of Pope Urban VIII, the bronze was removed and melted down—some say it was used to make weapons for Castel Sant’Angelo or to create Bernini’s famous canopy in Saint Peter’s Basilica. The spectacular doors at the entrance are Roman, though not the originals. The original bronze beams were also taken during Urban VIII’s time.
The Iconic Dome and Its Features
The dome of the Pantheon holds a special place in history as the largest masonry dome in the world, even larger than the dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica. A round opening at the very top, called the oculus, was designed for structural reasons to prevent the dome from collapsing. On a rainy day, watching water stream through this opening is a unique sight; holes in the marble floor drain away the rainwater efficiently.
Changing Landscape and Modern Times
When first built, the Pantheon stood on level ground. Now, the street level around the building is about 10 meters (33 feet) higher than in ancient times, due to centuries of debris collecting in Rome. To keep the Pantheon from being buried, a deep trench is carefully maintained around it. For many years, entry to the Pantheon was free, but an admission fee began to be charged in 2023.
Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_Rome
