The Pantheon in Rome

Located in the heart of Rome’s historic center, the Pantheon is undeniably one of the most famous monuments in the “Eternal City.” Why? This architectural masterpiece is the best-preserved ancient building in the capital.

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Pro tip: To save time and ensure you don’t miss a thing, consider this skip-the-line ticket + audio guide (available in several languages).

A Brief History of the Pantheon of Rome

The Origins of the Pantheon

The Pantheon of Agrippa

The history of the Pantheon begins in 27 BC when the first version of the building was constructed on the orders of Consul Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, a close advisor to Emperor Augustus.

However, Agrippa’s Pantheon did not stand the test of time. It was damaged by a fire in 80 AD and then another in 110 AD. Today, very little remains of this original construction.

The Pantheon of Hadrian

Between 118 and 125 AD, Emperor Hadrian had the Pantheon entirely rebuilt according to a new plan. It is this second version of the temple that has survived almost intact to the present day.

Hadrian’s Pantheon is an architectural marvel and a testament to the incredible skill of Roman builders. Its dome, which remains the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, continues to amaze experts.

Despite his contributions, Emperor Hadrian acknowledged Agrippa’s legacy by inscribing Agrippa’s name on the temple’s entrance portico: M.AGRIPPA.L.F.COS.TERTIVM.FECIT (“Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, consul for the third time, built this”).

While the identity of the architect responsible for the Pantheon’s construction remains unknown, speculation is rife. Apollodorus of Damascus, who designed Trajan’s Forum, Baths, and Markets, is a leading candidate.

A Temple to All Gods

A quick etymology lesson: in Ancient Greek, the word Πάνθειον (pantheion) combines πᾶν (pan, “all”) and θεῖος (theíos, “divine”). The pantheon is literally the temple of all gods.

From its inception, the Pantheon of Rome was dedicated to all Roman deities, particularly Mars (Ares) and Venus (Aphrodite), the mythical ancestors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty (the Gens Iulia) to which Julius Caesar belonged.

From Roman Temple to Catholic Church

By the late 4^th century AD, pagan cults were banned in Rome: sacrifices were forbidden, as was visiting temples.

For nearly two centuries, the Pantheon was abandoned and looted, notably during the sack of Rome by the Visigoths in the 5^th century.

In 608, the Byzantine Emperor Phocas gifted the ancient temple to Pope Boniface IV. The Pope consecrated the Pantheon as a Christian church,
and the ancient Roman temple became the Church of St. Mary and the Martyrs (Sancta Maria ad Martyres).

A Burial Place

Starting from the Renaissance, the Pantheon became a burial site for notable figures in Roman history.

The Pantheon houses:

• the tombs of iconic artists: Raphael, Baldassare Peruzzi, Perin del Vaga, Giovanni da Udine, Taddeo Zuccaro, Annibale Carracci, Arcangelo Corelli
• the heart of a clergyman, Cardinal Ercole Consalvi
• the remains of Italian sovereigns: Victor Emmanuel II, his son Umberto I, and Umberto’s wife Margherita of Savoy.^.

Visiting the Pantheon of Rome

The Architecture of the Pantheon

The Pantheon of Rome is an architectural marvel that has stood the test of time. It is the best-preserved ancient building in the Italian capital, consisting of:

• a pronaos: a vestibule forming the temple’s entrance. It features a portico with 16 Corinthian columns and a triangular pediment, bearing the inscription honoring Agrippa.
• an intermediate building linking the pronaos and the rotunda. It is rectangular in shape.
• a rotunda: a cylindrical building housing the cella (the main hall) topped by a massive dome with a diameter of 43.30 meters, featuring an oculus.

The Rotunda of the Pantheon

The rotunda is the most spectacular architectural element of the Pantheon of Rome.

The dome consists of coffers, adding to its lightness… Yet it still weighs around 4,535 tons! The diameter is equal to the height of the rotunda, creating a harmonious impression.

The dome features a circular opening at the top, the oculus, which is 8.7 meters (26.2 ft) in diameter.

This is the only source of direct light inside the Pantheon, explaining the prevailing chiaroscuro.

On rainy days, the oculus allows rain to enter the building. The Pantheon’s floor, made of porphyry and granite slabs forming geometric patterns, is slightly inclined to allow water drainage. The center of the rotunda is elevated by 30 centimeters (12 inches).

The niches around the rotunda originally housed statues of ancient deities. They now contain the tombs of illustrious figures like the painter Raphael and King Victor Emmanuel II.

Practical Information

Getting to the Pantheon

The Pantheon is located in the Campus Martius, northwest of the historic center, near the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and Campo de’ Fiori.

The nearest metro station is Venezia on line D, about a ten-minute walk away.

Bus lines 40, 60, 70, 71, and 492 also stop nearby.

Opening Hours of the Pantheon

The Pantheon is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm (last entry at 6:30 pm, ticket office closes at 6 pm).

Ticket Prices for the Pantheon

Tickets for the Pantheon are priced at:

• €5 for full-price tickets
• €2 for EU citizens aged 18 to 25
• free for visitors under 18.

To make the most of your visit, Captain Ulysse recommends opting for the audio guide available in several languages.

For more information, click here: skip-the-line ticket + audio guide for the Pantheon.

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Credits
Hsuanya Tsai | Michael Vadon | AshMarshall | djedj | Victor R. Ruiz