Pantheon

The Pantheon in Rome

The Pantheon is definitely a worth-while building to see while visiting Rome. Not only is the outside impressive, but just wait until you reach the inside. The central opening permits the light to shine in the building as well as and type of precipitation to fall.

The Pantheon, meaning "Temple of all the Gods", is a building in Rome that was originally built as a temple to the seven deities of the seven planets. Since the 7th century, it has been a Christian church. Being one of the best-preserved buildings in Rome, it has been in use throughout its existence. Apollodorus of Damascus is the architect given credit for the building, although this is not completely certain. The building dates from about 125, during the reign of Emperor Hadrian.

The building is circular with a portico of three ranks of huge granite Corinthian columns. It lies under a pediment opening into the rotunda, under a concrete dome, with a central opening (oculus), also know as The Great Eye, open to the sky.

Allison Spiker