The Pantheon

Address	Piazza della Rotonda
Admissions	Free
Hours	M -S 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM; Sun. 9 AM to 6 PM

A treasure of both ancient and modern Rome, the Pantheon is known for its durability, structure, and tombs. The spherical roof sits atop a cylinder base that extends out into a rectangular shape. The domed roof peaks at an open circle, known as the oculus, which evenly distributes sunlight and surprisingly keeps the inside of the Pantheon almost completely dry during inclement weather. The dome was constructed using a mixture of concrete that dried almost weightlessly.

The original Pantheon was built around 26 BC by the Emperor Marcus Agrippa, whose name appears engraved on the portico above the bronze double doors. The structure that stands now was built by the Emperor Hadrian around 118 to 128 AD, after a major fire destroyed the original.

The Pantheon earned its reputation as a major historical landmark by transitioning through the centuries with Rome. Originally constructed as a temple for the gods, ancient Romans sacrificed animals in the center of the floor. In the year 609, the Pantheon was converted to a Catholic Church, Santa Maria ad Martyres, as Catholicism became a dominant religion. The famous individuals laid to rest in tombs in the Pantheon, include King Vittorio Emanuele II, King Umberto I, and the painter Raphael.