(Italian Pantheon) - historical and architectural monument Ancient Rome. Originally known as antique Temple of all Gods, however, after the fall of the Roman Empire it was consecrated as the Christian Church of St. Mary and the Martyrs.
| Practical information: |
Pantheon of Agrippa
Pantheon of Agrippa
The first building of the Pantheon was built in 27–25 BC. Its name comes from two Greek words: “pan” - “all” and “theon” - “divine”. It was the "Temple of All Gods", dedicated to the main Roman gods (Neptune, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Pluto, Mercury and Saturn). The construction was supervised by the consul Marcus Agrippa, friend and son-in-law of Emperor Augustus. Agrippa's Pantheon faced south and had a rectangular shape. The walls were made of travertine blocks lined with marble slabs. On the pediment of the building, in bronze letters, was laid out the inscription “M. Agrippa L F cos Tertium Fecit" (“Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, elected consul for the third time, erected this”). The façade was decorated with statues and caryatids. Pliny left about the sights the following words: “The caryatids on the columns of the temple are extremely beautiful, and the capitals of these columns are made of Syracuse copper.”
The Pantheon of Agrippa was surrounded by a small square paved with travertine slabs. On the opposite side of the square was the Temple of Neptune. The first Pantheon was destroyed during a three-day fire in 80 AD, but along with other temples it was completely rebuilt during the restoration work of Emperor Domitian. Its ruins are now located at a depth of 2.5 meters.
Construction of the modern Pantheon (Rome)
Pantheon of Agrippa, in Once again destroyed during the reign of Trajan (it was struck by lightning) it was completely rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian, who wrote in his memoirs: “I wanted this sanctuary of all the gods to represent the globe and the celestial sphere.” Therefore, Hadrian's Pantheon became virtually a new building.
The markings on the bricks of the Pantheon, found as a result of research, indicate the period of 115-127, when the construction of the structure according to the project was supposedly carried out famous architect that time Apollodorus of Damascus. He designed and built many buildings and structures in Rome. For example, Baths of Trajan, Arc de Triomphe Trajan and Trajan's port in Ostia. Apollodorus continued to work after the death of Trajan, when Hadrian became emperor.
- group tour (up to 10 people) for a first acquaintance with the city and main attractions - 3 hours, 31 euros
- immerse yourself in the history of Ancient Rome and visit the main monuments of antiquity: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill - 3 hours, 38 euros
- history of Roman cuisine, oysters, truffle, pate and cheese during an excursion for real gourmets - 5 hours, 45 euros
Pantheon architecture
According to the project of Apollodorus, the Pantheon was oriented to the north, and its size was significantly increased. The structure was erected on a podium, to which 8 steps led. Gradually, the level of the ground around the Pantheon increased, and now it is located even in a shallow depression.
The structure of the temple has a cylindrical shape, representing a round rotunda. The height of the dome from the floor is equal to its diameter (43 meters), that is, the internal space of the temple can accommodate a full sphere - perfect shape, symbolizing the image of the Universe. IN architectural appearance The Pantheon embodied the Romans' ideas about the universe. The dome of the temple represents the vault of heaven, illuminated by the main celestial body - the Sun. The dome's ceiling is coffered and was originally gilded. Light penetrates through " Eye of the Pantheon"(oculus) - a single round hole with a diameter of 8.5 meters in the center of the vault. Every year on June 21 (the summer equinox), at noon, the sun passes through the Eye of the Pantheon and illuminates everyone who enters the main door of the temple with a beam of light. The floor is designed to be slightly convex, which helps drain rainwater into special openings that are part of a complex underground drainage system.
The walls, more than six meters thick, form a complex and well-designed structure that helps support the high dome. The composition of the concrete from which the walls were built varies depending on the height. The lower tier consists of concrete with travertine chips, followed by belts with lighter fillers made of tuff or pumice.
Facade The Pantheon is formed by a massive portico with a pediment. The portico is paved with slabs of colored marble arranged in a pattern of circles and squares, and includes 16 Corinthian granite columns with white marble capitals. The columns, 14 meters high, support a marble entablature and a triangular pediment on which is an inscription from the old Pantheon of Agrippa. In the space under the triangular pediment, holes for attaching decorative bronze trim are visible. Presumably, a bronze eagle with outstretched wings was attached here, holding an oak wreath in its beak, a symbol of power.
Gable The building was also decorated with bronze figures, statues and decorative elements, presumably made by Diogenes of Athens. Subsequently, by order of Pope Urban VIII, all the bronze decorations from the facade were used by the architect Bernini in the construction of St. Peter's Basilica. Such a barbaric act served as a reason for the libel that was famous at that time: “What the barbarians did not do, the Barberini family did” (“quod non fecerunt barbari - fecerunt Barberini”).
Pronaos(the passage or front hall of the Pantheon) connects the portico with the round hall. The outer walls of the pronaos are partly lined with marble blocks, partly covered with marble cladding. The pronaos is rectangular in shape and has three rows of Corinthian columns, eight of gray granite in the front row and eight of red. The pronaos contained statues of Emperor Augustus and Agrippa.
Large bronze doors, presumably preserved from ancient times and restored in the 16th century, lead to the round hall of the Pantheon. Its walls inside are covered with slabs of colored marble. On the lower level there are seven large niches, alternately trapezoidal and rounded. The niches are dedicated to the five planets that the Romans knew about, as well as to the luminaries - the Sun and the Moon. On the upper level above these niches there are rooms accessible through an external gallery. Previously, the Pantheon contained statues of seven gods, which were later replaced by statues of saints. These were statues of the most revered gods of Roman mythology (Neptune, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Pluto, Mercury and Saturn).
clue: If you want to find an inexpensive hotel in Rome, we recommend checking out this special offers section. Typically discounts are 25-35%, but sometimes reach 40-50%.
History of the Pantheon after the fall of the Roman Empire
The Pantheon was saved from destruction in the early Middle Ages, thanks to the fact that in 608 the Byzantine Emperor Phocas donated it to Pope Boniface IV, who turned the building into a church. The following year, the Pantheon was solemnly consecrated as the Church of St. Mary and the Martyrs (Santa Maria ad Martires). The name was given in honor of the relics of Christian martyrs, which were transported from the catacombs of Rome to the Pantheon. However, in 655, Constans II, Emperor of Constantinople, during a visit to Rome, removed some bronze decorations and gilded tiles from the temple. Only at the beginning of the 8th century, during the reign of Pope Gregory III, the building was covered with a lead roof. Until the 14th century, the Pantheon was repeatedly abandoned (for example, during the stay of the popes in Avignon). In the years 1378-1417, the temple became a fortress in the struggle between the Roman families of Colonna and Orsini.
Immediately after the temple was converted into a church, all objects associated with the pagan cult were destroyed, and in their place statues of Christian saints and paintings appeared. biblical stories. The Pantheon received an altar and an apse commissioned by Pope Clement XI and designed by Alessandro Specchi. In the apse there is a copy of the Byzantine icon of the Madonna. The original icon is now in the Vatican. In 1840, a choir designed by Luigi Poletti was added.
Inside the main hall there are eight niches, one of which is the entrance, and in the others there are seven statues of saints: St. Anastasio, St. Agnes, Madonna del Cacco, St. Eracio, St. Nicholas, the Coronation of the Virgin sculpture, as well as a group sculpture of St. Anne and Holy Mother of God.
The walls in the niches and chapels are painted with frescoes. The most famous are: “The Annunciation” by Melozzi da Forlì, “Saint Lawrence and Saint Agnes” by Clement Maioli, “The Adoration of the Shepherds” by Francesco Cozza, as well as “The Adoration of the Magi” and “The Descent of the Holy Spirit” by Pietro Labrusi.
Burials in the Pantheon (Rome)
Starting from the Renaissance, the Pantheon, like all churches, began to arrange burials of outstanding people of their time. In particular, many are buried here famous artists, sculptors and musicians: painters Perino del Vaga, Annibale Carracci, Taddeo Zuccari, Giovanni da Udine, Rafael Santi and his bride Maria Bibbiena, architect Baldassare Peruzzi, sculptor Flaminio Vacca, musician Arcangelo Corelli.
There are also tombs of crowned persons from the Savoy dynasty. One of the first to be buried in the Pantheon was the first king of united Italy, Victor Emmanuel II of Savoy, a great fighter for the unity of his country, as evidenced by the inscription on his tombstone: “PADRE DELLA PATRIA” (Father of the Fatherland). Also here is the tomb of his son and successor, King Umberto I with his wife Margaret. The king was shot by a monarchist in 1900, and Margarita died 36 years later. The Royal Tombs are guarded by volunteers from the National Institute of Honorary Guard, founded in 1878.
The Pantheon is one of the few buildings of Antiquity that has been preserved in a condition that gives us a complete picture of the monumental architecture of Ancient Rome. Despite all the vicissitudes that have befallen over the past centuries, the Pantheon today remains a symbol of the greatness of the Roman Empire.
- you will immerse yourself in “living” Rome and get acquainted with its history, legends and main attractions - 2 hours, 20 euros
- beautiful and romantic corners Eternal City away from noisy tourist routes- 2 hours, 30 euros
- art, beauty, history and religious culture Italy in the masterpieces of the Vatican Museums - 3 hours, 38 euros
The Pantheon, from the Italian Pantheon, is one of the most ancient and visited attractions of Rome. It is also a historical and architectural monument of Ancient Rome, a legacy of the Renaissance.
Literally, the Pantheon is translated as the Ham of all Gods. The Roman Pantheon is more than two thousand years old, it was erected on the site of the previous Pantheon, built by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa between 27 and 25 BC, as a temple dedicated to the twelve gods and the Monarch. It is believed that the current building that we can see today is the result of a radical reconstruction of the structure commissioned by Emperor Hadrian between 118 and 125 AD.
On the pediment of the Panthion there is a Latin inscription: “M. AGRIPPA L F COS TERTIUM FECIT", which translated sounds like: "Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, three times consul, erected this."
The Pantheon was originally an ancient pagan temple. Later, on May 13, 609, when the Byzantine Emperor Phocas donated the temple to Pope Boniface IV, the Pantheon was consecrated as the Christian Catholic Church of St. Mary and the Martyrs (Santa Maria ad Martires). It was from then on that May 13 began to be celebrated as the Feast of All Saints among Catholics. True, later, somewhere in the middle of the eighteenth century, Pope Gregory III on November 1 consecrated one of the chapels of St. Peter's Basilica, in honor of All Saints. And from now on, the date of celebration of All Saints' Day for Catholics and Protestants falls on November 1.
The Pantheon is a truly grandiose structure; here, like nowhere else, you can touch the history of centuries, although there are many such places in Rome, take at least the most famous and other majestic buildings of Rome. In addition, in those days the building of the Pantheon was a great engineering achievement of antiquity.
Currently, in addition to the historical and architectural heritage, the Pantheon attracts many tourists with its interesting and unusual architecture. The fact is that there are no windows at all in the Pantheon, and the only source of light is a large round hole, 9 meters in diameter, located in the dome of the Pantheon. It is through this hole that sunlight penetrates into the Pantheon, illuminating the interior.
In clear sunny weather, the beam of light penetrating this hole in the ceiling is not scattered, but flows directly from the dome to the floor, which attracts attention. In case of rain, water falling down flows into 22, almost invisible holes in the floor. And when it snows, snowflakes falling into the opening of the dome, thanks to the wind and the internal atmosphere in the Pantheon, form fabulous swirls, similar to dancing.
There is only one hole in the Pantheon, not because the Romans were too lazy to cut through the walls, no, this was done on purpose, since in Ancient Rome one hole meant the unity of all deities.
View of the Pantheon from the rear of the building, from Via della Palombella
The kings of Italy are buried in the Pantheon: Victor Emmanuel II and Umberto I, Queen Margaret of Savoy and the great Italian painter and architect Raphael.
Entrance to the Pantheon is completely free. The temple is open to the public from 8.30 to 19.30 on weekdays and from 9.00 to 18.00 on Sundays. Closed to the public on some holidays. Located in the very center of the historical part of Rome, at the address: Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Roma, Italy. You can get there on foot or by metro, the nearest station is Barberini.
Rotunda Square in Rome
The Pantheon is located on the square Piazza della Rotonda or simply, as it is popularly called, Piazza del Pantheon and Rotunda Square.
This small but quite cozy square is located at the main entrance to the Pantheon. And it is named after its main building, the Pantheon.
Around the square you can see buildings built in several architectural styles. Along the perimeter of the square there are hotels and cafes with open terraces, and in the center it is decorated with a fountain of the same name - Fontana del Pantheon.
This Renaissance fountain was built around 1575 by the architect Giacomo della Porta. The fountain originally consisted of a rectangular tank of gray African marble, and in the basin of the fountain there were porphyry and two stone lions. In 1711, by the will of Pope Clement XI Albani, the Fountain del Pantheon was reconstructed and topped with a tall Obelisk.
Later, in 1974 and 1991-1992, the fountain also underwent reconstruction.
The Pantheon in Rome is a pagan temple of all the ancient Roman gods; this building is the embodiment of the power and strength of the Roman Empire. Later, Christians decided to turn the pagan temple into a Christian one and consecrated it.
The Pantheon is the only temple in the world that has survived to this day in almost its original form.
Excursion
For those who are going to Rome, we recommend the excursion “Ancient Rome - a path to the past.” This excursion will be an ideal journey into the past, after which it will be difficult to look at the city with the same eyes.
History of the Pantheon
Built by
The Pantheon was erected in 27 BC. The temple was erected by Marcus Agrippa, a relative of Emperor Augustus. The Pantheon in ancient Rome was a uniquely complex structure in its time: the architect’s idea is progressive in our time. The complexity of the execution is also impressive: building a dome with a diameter of 44 meters 2 millennia ago is not an easy task.
Construction of the temple
Before the construction of the Pantheon, a round pool functioned on this site, but after the fire, the emperor decided to pay tribute to the gods and built a temple of all gods (it is from the pool that the Pantheon takes its rounded shape). The architect of the project was Apollodorus of Damascus, who decided to add an entrance in the form of a portico to the cylindrical building, thereby giving the building its current appearance.
Pantheon construction diagram
Literally on every corner you can come into contact with history. The unique Roman monument - the Pantheon, the blessed “Temple of all the gods” - became an example of the unsurpassed engineering of the architects of Ancient Rome.
Milestones in the history of the Pantheon
At first, the majestic building on Piazza della Rotonda served as a pagan sanctuary. IN ancient times Here they worshiped the main ancient Roman gods and sacrificed animals. Agrippa, son-in-law of Emperor Augustus, erected the Pantheon in 27 BC. At that time the building was square. A huge fire in 1980 practically destroyed the temple. Under Domitian it was restored, but in 110 it burned down again. The modern Pantheon was built at the beginning of the 2nd century under Emperor Hadrian on the site of the previous one.
Emperor Phocas gave the Pantheon to Pope Boniface IV in 608. In 609, the pagan temple was consecrated as a Christian church - in honor of St. Mary and the Martyrs. The remains of the first Christians were transferred here from the Roman catacombs. The consecration took place on November 1.
The Pantheon has remained almost untouched by time. It still looks grandiose and majestic today. Millions of tourists and pilgrims flock to it from all over the planet. Ancient Roman “Temple of All Gods” – Tomb of the great citizens of Italy.
Building architecture
In 118-25 AD (already under Emperor Hadrian ) The Pantheon was rebuilt and reconstructed, adding a rotunda. This part of the building was covered with a hemispherical dome of 43 meters in diameter. The dome was made of brick and concrete. In the center of the vault, the architect provided a hole for lighting - an “oculus”. Into this round opening (9 meters in diameter) daytime a column of light passed through, giving the internal space a special spiritual appearance.
The height of the rotunda together with the dome was also 43 meters. This ratio made the appearance of the building surprisingly proportional. Powerful walls (their thickness is 6 m) reliably supported the heavy domed structure. The entrance portal was framed by a portico with 16 massive columns. The front façade of the building faced Piazza della Rotonda, where a small Egyptian obelisk still stands today.
On the tympanum of the temple there is a solemn inscription in Latin glorifying the name of Marcus Agrippa, who built the first Pantheon.
Inner space
The interior of the temple amazes first-time visitors with its enormous size. The interior of the Pantheon is in sharp contrast with the emphatically ascetic appearance of the building.
Two thousand people can be accommodated under the dome of the Pantheon at a time. The huge space is not disturbed by supports and other load-bearing elements. The grandiose dome looks like firmament. The luminous hole in the center is surrounded by concentric rows of square coffered niches, creating the illusion of infinity. Coffered niches facilitate the structure of the dome.
The entire round wall of the rotunda is permeated with voids invisible to the eye. The inner wall is divided into two tiers. In the lower tier, six high niches are symmetrically located, decorated with pilasters and separated from the main room by columns. Between them there are statues in small niches. The upper tier of the wall is separated by an entablature. It contains rows of shallow niches separated by pilasters.
The interior marble decoration of the walls has not been preserved. The bronze sculptural decorations on the tympanum of the portico (which depicted a scene of the battle of the gods with the Titans) were also lost. In the 17th century, at the behest of Pope Urban VIII, the bronze roofing of the portico was removed. It was used to create the canopy in St. Peter's Basilica.
The Roman Pantheon served as a representative example of centric-domed architecture for buildings in the following centuries.
Burial place of great people
The ancient temple also became a tomb. Italian rulers of different times are buried here: Queen Margaret of Savoy, King Victor Emmanuel II, King Umberto I. In a modest niche made of marble, under a laurel wreath, rests genius artist Italy - Rafael Santi from Urbino. During his lifetime, he expressed a desire to be buried in the Pantheon. Great Raphael lived only 37 years.
The name “pantheon” has now become a common noun. This word means a solemn tomb - a mausoleum where worthy sons of the people are buried.
The Pantheon is unique architectural monument. This is one of the few buildings from antiquity that has been completely preserved. Another feature was the largest diameter of the dome among all the structures of world architecture. The Pantheon maintained these positions until the 19th century.
History of creation
The Pantheon is greatest monument centric-dome style in architecture. Its name is translated from Greek language, as “Temple dedicated to all gods.” It was built in the 2nd century. AD by order of Emperor Hadrian. A temple was previously located on this site, erected by the consul Marcus Agripa. However, by imperial decree, a new building appeared in its place. The reasons for this lie in the fire that almost destroyed this structure. However, the original intention of its creator was immortalized by the fact that an inscription was made on the pediment of the temple, indicating its construction by Marcus Agrippa.
Obviously, under Hadrian there were compelling reasons for rebuilding this colossal structure. His personal biographer mentions that large-scale restoration and restoration work was carried out under Adrian. At the same time, the names of the original creators were preserved. 80 years later, the Pantheon underwent restoration and some minor additions under Emperor Septimius Severus. The marble finish, cladding, as well as some small details were updated.
Design Features
The Pantheon is significantly different from the classic rectangular temples that we can see in Rome and Greece. In its architectural forms there is a clear predominance of centrism, which distinguished the ancient huts and sanctuaries of Rome. The construction of itself reveals itself in all its beauty from the inside.
The rotunda and colossal dome are living proof of the architectural genius of the architects of Rome. The dome is made of solid concrete and only at the base is reinforced with brick inserts. The rotunda is divided into eight niches, which was done to make the structure light. One of the main wonders of the Pantheon is the oculus. A special, bronze-framed porthole, 9 m in diameter, is designed to allow passage sunlight. At noon, a ray of light penetrates at a right angle and looks like a giant pillar. This amazingly beautiful sight still delights visitors. When in Rome, be sure to visit the temple at noon.
The Rotunda of the Pantheon consists of brick at its core, with marble cladding. IN symbolic form, its geometry reflects ideas about the astrological structure of the universe that prevailed in the era of Ancient Rome. The oculus in the center symbolizes the solar disk. It is the only source through which light enters the structure. Temple complex erected on 16 granite columns that belong to the Corinthian order. They are made of granite and their capitals are built of white marble.
Surprisingly, the architects of Ancient Rome achieved significant heights in the selection of materials. The composition of the concrete from which the dome is made is uneven and varies depending on its height. The lower levels are filled with hard travertine chips, while the upper levels are composed of pumice and tuff. The dome rises 22 m above the rotunda. The height of the structure is almost 50 m. The floor, as well as the wall cladding, is made of multi-colored marble, which is why the interior is striking in its luxury.
Interior
The entrance to the building is through colossal bronze gates that reach more than 7 meters in height. Upon entering, the visitor immediately finds himself in a vestibule that connects to the rotunda at the north end. The outer parts of the walls are made either entirely of marble or covered with facing marble. Previously, the dome of the temple was covered with gilded bronze.
Distinctive feature interior decoration The Pantheon is characterized by the integrity, rigor and clarity of composition characteristic of the architecture of Ancient Rome, which is combined with luxury and great attention to small details. Thanks to the transformation in 609 AD. to the Christian Church of St. Mary, it has been preserved in excellent condition.
Pantheon as a cultural element
A distinctive feature of this structure is its excellent preservation. This is one of the few buildings that we have inherited from the times of Ancient Rome, which in our days not only has not been destroyed, but has also preserved in excellent condition even the most smallest elements. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most glorious monuments of this famous era.
Throughout its existence, this colossal structure was the object close attention residents of Rome and tourists. Naturally, he also attracted people of art. During the Renaissance, which is generally characterized by a revival of interest in the ancient heritage, it became an object of admiration for artists, architects and sculptors. Michelangelo called it nothing less than an angelic creation. Raphael dreamed of being buried in this temple. His contemporaries made the dream of a brilliant creator come true. Since then, the Pantheon has become a burial place, the honor of burial in which belonged to great people who left their mark on history.
Raphael, King Umberto I, as well as the first king of the united kingdom, Emmanuel II, were also buried here. In a word, there was no one who would remain indifferent to this, without a doubt, ingenious construction.
Visit to the Pantheon
No matter how surprising it may sound, this greatest attraction can be viewed for free not only from the outside, but also from the inside. Entrance is absolutely free, and it is open to the public every day. Its opening hours are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. In the morning hours it is observed here smallest number visitors. Therefore, for those who want to get acquainted with the Pantheon in more detail, it is recommended to visit it from 9 am to 11 am without unnecessary fuss.
The place is closed to the public on the first of January and May. These are the only ones holidays when this attraction is not available.