Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of the best preserved pieces of architecture from the ancient Roman times. The original temple on the site was erected by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, the son-in-law of the first Roman Emperor, Augustus. The magnificent temple, whose task, according to its name, was to celebrate all gods, was completed by 25 BC. The building that stands today at Piazza della Rotonda differs significantly from the original project, as it is the result of the extensive remodelling carried out by Hadrian between 118 and 125 AD. One of the few remnants of Agrippa’s temple is the front portico.
One of the most striking features of the interior is the giant dome. Spanning over 43 metres in diameter, it was the world’s largest until the construction of Brunelleschi’s dome in the Cathedral of Florence in the 15th Century. However, the dome of the Pantheon remains as the world’s largest masonry dome. The massive columns of the portico are made of stone quarried in Egypt and weigh over 60 tons each. The interior decoration of the temple is the effect of an 18th Century renovation, during which it was painted by Giovanni Paolo Panini. The magnificent temple is also the final resting place of a few prominent figures, including Rafael and several Italian kings.
Name: Pantheon
Address: Piazza della Rotonda
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