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The Pantheon of Rome

  • Rome, Lazio, Italy

Last updated: 07 April, 2024

One of Rome’s best-preserved landmarks, the Pantheon was originally a temple to the Gods. Rebuilt by Hadrian in AD 118 – it has been a church ever since 609.

Inside the original bronze doors, the astonishing 43m dome is still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world; as a compliment to it, Michelangelo made the cupola of St. Peter’s a touch smaller. Originally the entire dome ceiling was covered with bronze plates, until Bernini convinced the Pope to let him strip them off to make the baldacchino in St. Peter’s – and there was enough bronze left over for 60 cannons.

Raphael and the first two kings of Italy are buried here.

Logistics

Price: Free
Minimum age: 0
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The nearest metro stop is Barberini.

Even though the queues may be long to enter, they move quickly. Entrance is free on weekdays, but on weekends you must book a 45-minute guided tour, or if you prefer to go it alone, buy a 35-minute audio guide from the website. Both include your entry ticket.

 

When to do it

The basilica is open all year round, seven days a week. The Pantheon is still a church however: if you turn up during a Mass (notably on Sunday mornings) you won’t be admitted.

To avoid the queues, go midweek and/or in the early morning. It’s a spectacular sight during a storm, when the water comes pouring through the oculus onto the floor.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Start your visit from the most beautiful square in Rome: Piazza Navona. Your guide will tell you the history of Piazza Navona, like the introductory part. We run a 1h tour of the incredible Pantheon starting immediately with a group. Your guide will tell you all about the great Michelangelo and his depiction of Christ on the cross. We show you the original Roman street level and the flood marks, the marble freeze and the porch where the missing bronze was turned into the canons on Castle Sant'Angelo. Inside the Pantheon to gaze at the jaw- dropping oculus which is mathematically perfect and to see Rafaelo’s tomb. All this in a brief blast of information covering what is considered to be three of the top ten things to see in Rome. Be sure that you are wearing comfortable shoes. Pantheon is a holy place, so guests should dress appropriately — all should cover their shoulders and knees.

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