Pantheon

As a city, Rome is blessed with architectural splendour. This magnificent temple has stood for over two millennia and is testimony to the awesome power and ruthless ambition of the legendary Roman Empire.The Pantheon is an ancient building, first constructed in biblical times under the instruction of the Roman general Marcus Agrippa. However, the layout that exists today was in fact instigated by the Roman Emperor Hadrian – known in Great Britain for Hadrian’s Wall, which marked the northern limit of Roman Britain – in the year 126 AD. Nonetheless, its façade is still inscribed with the name of its commissioner, not Hadrian.The Pantheon’s exterior is one of the most recognisable of any building in the world, with its eight parallel columns constructed from granite giving the entry to the building the appearance of a huge radiator grille. Behind the eight columns at the front are eight further columns, which support the triangular structure atop the main building. The Pantheon temple itself includes the world’s largest non-reinforced concrete dome, with a diameter and height both measuring over 43 metres. The unique qualities of the building contribute to its outstanding, spectacular structure. The dome which is central to the Pantheon receives the most attention from visitors. But the floor of the building is also noteworthy, as it has remained completely unchanged since Roman times.The Pantheon was first built as a temple to the Roman gods, but the building has been used as a Roman Catholic Church since the early 7th century. The interior decor today reflects the Christian conversion that took place. Inside the Pantheon, there is a spectacular fusion of Roman mythology and classic Christian decoration, with Renaissance masterpieces on the curved walls and notable Christians buried in the Pantheon’s tombs.The Pantheon attracts millions of tourists every year. Due to its popularity, you can expect to queue from the nearby Piazza della Rotonda if you want to visit the Pantheon. Located in Rome and open seven days a week, access is readily available to the public. It’s best accessed by taxi or on foot.