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The Pantheon in Rome
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The Pantheon is an ancient temple dedicated to the Roman gods and embodies the greatness of the Roman Empire. It is assumed that it was built in A.D. 2 on another temple, built-in 27 B.C. by Marcus Agrippa. Nowadays, this ancient crowning glory can be found at Piazza della Rotonda.
Contents
The architecture of the Roman dome
The Pantheon is a large rotunda covered with a hemispherical dome diameter of 45 meters (147,6 ft). Architects had done an excellent job and achieved a harmonious balance between building height and diameter. Due to engineering calculations, the dome does not press down on the visitors with its mass and solemnly towers over them like the sky.
The height of the building is almost equal to its diameter and amounts to 42 meters (137,8 ft). Air and light penetrate inside the Pantheon through the oculus in the center of the dome with a diameter of 9 meters (29,5 ft), called “the Eye of the Pantheon”, the main feature of the temple.
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The eye
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The inside surface of the Roman dome is decorated with 140 coffers. A series of these recessed panels have decorative and constructive value, significantly reducing the weight of the arch. It has been calculated that the dome’s weight is 5000 metric tons. But gradually, with the increasing height of the dome, its thickness and weight are reduced. For example, the thickness of the concrete mass at the bottom is 6 meters (19,7 ft), and near “the Eye of the Pantheon,” it is only 1,5 meters (4,9 ft).
The entrance
The greatness of the temple is emphasized by a portico of sixteen granite Corinthian columns at the entrance. A Roman portal, dating from the Roman era, leads you inside. The walls, holding the dome, are faced with marble and divided into two tiers from the inside. The lower tier, in its turn, consists of 7 identical niches, to facilitate the construction.
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Tomb
Pantheon is one of the few buildings of ancient Rome which has survived unchanged. All the time, it has attracted the attention of artists, scientists, and the simple public. Michelangelo considered it to be a divine creation. Raphael wanted to be buried in the temple, which, in his mind, was a place where people and goods were united. So the great artist was buried in the Pantheon. This event became a new stage in the history of the ancient temple, having turned it into a burial place of great and famous people.
From an architectural viewpoint, the Pantheon is almost the only monumental structure, which harmoniously combines grandiosity and elegance. Its image had a considerable influence on the architecture of that time and future as well.
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Despite past centuries with their gains and losses, the Pantheon, as before, is absolute proof of the greatness of the Roman Empire.
Entrance & Opening Hours
A ticket to visit the Pantheon is not required, because the entrance is free. Opening hours are from 9 am to 7 pm daily.
Not many tourists go to the temple in the first hour after opening – this is the time, when we recommend our readers to visit the place.
Hotels near Pantheon
Accommodation in Rome near the Pantheon area is an excellent opportunity to reach all the main attractions in Rome by walk.
With the help of the particular filter, you can choose the best hotel near the Pantheon by yourself. My list of the hotels I would stay in is following:
- Hotel Ponte Sisto –perfect location.
It will take just 15 minutes to get to the Pantheon and other ancient attractions in Rome. During the summertime, breakfast is served in the courtyard with beautiful palm trees. Near the hotel, there is Trastevere, which is full of bars and restaurants. Many of my friends stayed in this hotel and were fully satisfied. - Hotel Pantheon is a small and cozy 4-star hotel located just 50 meters from the Pantheon. Tourists recommend.
- HT6 Hotel Roma – just 1 km from the Pantheon, this hotel is located in the Jewish Ghetto, a clean and quiet area in the heart of Rome where you can relax after your long tours.
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Author: Kate Zusmann
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