Pantheon Historical Facts and Pictures

The Pantheon is considered as the best-preserved and most influential building of ancient Rome. It is a Roman temple, dedicated to all the Roman Pagan Gods. The initial structure was built by Commander Agrippa during the reign of Augustus, which was destroyed in 80 AD. Then the building was rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in around 126 AD.

Pantheon

Pantheon Pictures

Pantheon Entrance

Pantheon Entrance

Architecture and Design of Pantheon

Consists of a series of interconnected arches, the structure of Pantheon differs from other Roman temples. It is a circular building with a portico of Corinthian columns and the porch and rotunda are linked together by a rectangular vestibule.

Pantheon Images

Pantheon Photos

Pantheon and the Fontana Del Pantheon

The dome of Pantheon

Pantheon has the largest unreinforced dome in the world. Weighing 4,535 metric tons, the concrete dome is concentrated on a ring of voussoirs that shapes like the oculus. Measuring 142 feet, in both height and diameter, the dome consists of elegant coffer decorations. Due to its heavy nature, the dome was carefully constructed with heavy materials on the lower level and light materials on top.

Dome of Pantheon

Pantheon Dome

Interior of Pantheon

The interior section of Pantheon exhibits a remarkable combination of traditional and innovative designs. During the day, sunbeams penetrate through the oculus at the top and move around in a reverse sundial manner. The interior decorative zones are subdivided into different designing patterns as reflected in the discordance between the checkerboard floors and the concentric square-coffered dome.

Interior of Pantheon

Pantheon Inside View

The term Pantheon is derived from the Greek word “Pantheion”, which means “of, relating to, or common to all the gods”. According to the Roman senator Cassius Dio, the name might have originated from all the statues of gods, placed around the temple. The gilded dome, that resembles heaven, is also regarded to have evoked the name.

Inside of Pantheon

Pantheon Interior

Pantheon at Night

Pantheon at Night

Pantheon Night View