Pantheon: the oldest temple in Rome

When in Rome… Pantheon, the monument

This When in Rome… blog article is written for the guests of the Hostel Chaplin Bed and Breakfast and B&B Little Italy in Rome.All Hotels and B&B’s in Rome  The Pantheon’s dome is more than 40 metres high, which made it the largest dome in the world until 1436 when the Florence Cathedral was constructed. At the top of the dome is a large opening, the oculus, which is 9m wide and the only source of light. The immense vault seems to be suspended overhead without support. The interior (both width AND height) measures 43.4 meters. The oculus was there so that prayers could easier ascend to heaven. There are sixteen monolithic granite columns supporting the portico, which used to be covered with bronze, but was stripped and melted by Pope Urban VII in order to make the canopy for Saint-Peter’s high altar and cannons for Castel Sant’Angelo. There used to be statues of gods in the niches surrounding the portico. The bronze doors are still the original ones. The original marble floor was restored in 1873. Some of the bricks used by Hadrian have the date 125 AD on them.

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