The Pantheon in Rome was constructed under Emperor Hadrian and was completed around 126 CE. Built as a temple to honor all Roman gods, it is among the best-preserved monuments of its time. During the 7th century, the Pantheon was consecrated as a Christian church, ensuring its continued preservation. Over the centuries, it has served various functions, including as a tomb for notable figures such as Italian kings Victor Emmanuel II and Umberto I.
The Pantheon is a circular building fronted by a rectangular portico. The portico consists of 16 Corinthian columns, each 11.8 meters tall and carved from Egyptian granite. The columns support a triangular pediment that originally displayed bronze reliefs. A prominent inscription on the façade, "M AGRIPPA L F COS TERTIVM FECIT" (Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, consul for the third time, made this), pays homage to the original builder.
Pantheon - facade
Pantheon - back
The most iconic feature of the Pantheon is its dome. It spans 150 Roman feet (43.3 meters) in diameter, making it the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. It is coffered to reduce weight while maintaining structural integrity, and its apex features an oculus, or circular opening, measuring 30 Roman feet (8.7 meters) in diameter. The oculus serves as the building's primary source of light and symbolizes the divine connection between the heavens and the earth.
The thickness of the dome decreases as it rises, transitioning from 6.4 meters at the base to 1.2 meters near the oculus. The concrete mix also changes, incorporating lighter materials in the upper sections to reduce stress on the structure.
The walls are lined with seven niches, which likely held statues of Roman gods.
Pantheon - interior and dome
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