Visiting Rome's Amazing Pantheon
Rome’s Pantheon, alongside the Colosseum, is perhaps the most iconic remnant located in this magnificent city. The Roman Pantheon is truly an architectural wonder. Its impressive design and dome will amaze you with its structure and beauty.
The Pantheon Columns are extremely thick. This is because, unlike others in Rome, they are not decorative but they were built to support the structure.
It is one of the few buildings from ancient Rome still intact. The Temple and world-famous round dome were not built until the 2nd century, under emperor Hadrian, after a large fire damaged Agrippa's building.
It is remarkable that people still do not know what the Pantheon building was originally built for. The Pantheon is the burial place of several important Italians (including the artist Raphael).
It is the resting place of several members of Italy’s royal family including Vittorio Emanuele II First King of Italy and King Umberto I.
Queen Margherita di Savoia is buried in the Pantheon and a fascinating fact about her is that the original Pizza Margherita took its name from the queen for whom it was first cooked.
The Dome of the Pantheon
The opening in the dome has a diameter of 8.7 metres and in addition to being a source of light, the dome was a deliberate addition to Hadrian's design to let the visitors of the temple be in direct contact with the heavens.
For new visitors wandering into the Pantheon, the first instinct is to look upwards at the Dome and be amazed at what they see. The famous dome holds the record for being the biggest unsupported dome in the world.
Entrance to the Pantheon
The Pantheon has recently become a ticket-only venue. Previously you could wander in and spend time marvelling at this beautiful building and watch the light fall through the dome.
Also, marvel at the colourful and beautiful marble floors.
Now you can only enter with a ticket, the reason is probably in response to increased tourism levels. The Pantheon is free to Rome residents, worshippers, disabled people and their carers, and people under 18.
You can get tickets to the Pantheon online or you can queue up on the day.
There are requests and signs for silence at all times while you are in this religious place. But the good thing is you are allowed to take photos.
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Pantheon Opening Hours
Monday-Saturday: 9 am- 7.15 pm
Sunday: 9 am – 5.45 pm
Public holidays: 9 am – 12.45 pm
The Pantheon is closed on some national holidays and if a mass is taking place.
There is no Metro station nearby. By bus, the Piazza Argentina is on the route of many buses including the very frequent 40, 60 and 64 buses that shuttle between the Vatican, the centre of the city and then on up towards Termini Station.
The best time to visit the Pantheon without crowds is the early morning. At this time, most tourists are not around and you can get to see the Pantheon with ease. The lines usually are the longest from late morning to mid-afternoon.
The good thing about visiting The Pantheon is that it is right in Rome's city centre and very close to other attractions such as Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, just to mention a few, so it can be a part of your daily tour.
