Pantheon, Magnificently Preserved Temple in the Heart of Rome

Pantheon

Magnificently Preserved Temple in the Heart of Rome

The Pantheon or Panteone is considered by many to be one of the most well preserved ancient classical monuments. This religious building is a type of temple which encompassed all the gods of Rome (worshippers of all gods came here) and was originally dedicated to those gods by Agrippa; the Roman admiral responsible for the defeat of Anthony and Cleopatra. In between 98AD and 117AD the building was struck by lightning during a fierce storm and burnt to the ground, then later rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in AD 125.Since the 7th century the Pantheon has been used as a Roman Catholic church dedicated to 'St. Mary and the Martyrs' but popularly known as 'Santa Maria Rotonda even though the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage is ultimately responsible for security and ongoing maintenance.

The dome on the Pantheon measures 43.2 metres, across its widest point and remained the largest in the world until the 15th century when the Duomo was built in Florence. The Pantheon was originally decorated richly with gold leaf and bronze, but this was almost totally removed to be used on other important Roman buildings, such as St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City. However, the vast size and antiquity of the Pantheon is still impressive and it is also worth taking a good look around inside, where the tomb of the Renaissance artist Raphael is located. The Pantheon, like the Colosseum, has also inspired other architectural structures around the world, including the Jefferson Memorial in Washington DC.

There are so many famous buildings and landmarks that it is often difficult to know where to start a sightseeing tour. Organised trips are an excellent way of ensuring that nothing is missed, but many people like the freedom of being able to come and go as they please and access to Rome’s Pantheon is easy via public transport from most Rome holiday apartments.

Taking a local bus is possible from all areas of Rome (holiday apartments are plentiful in most districts) or if you are staying outside Rome, holiday apartments are typically located near public transportation services (buses or taxis). Ferry services connect various parts of the city so no matter whether you select your accommodation, Rome holiday apartments will offer a convenient base for your sightseeing needs.