Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved buildings of ancient Rome, rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian around 126 AD on the site of an earlier temple, and famous above all for its unreinforced concrete dome, still the largest of its kind in the world, with a central oculus open directly to the sky. It has been in continuous use since antiquity, converted into a Christian church in the 7th century, which is largely why it survived intact while so many other ancient Roman buildings were quarried for materials.
Inside, the tomb of Raphael and the burial sites of several Italian kings sit beneath the same dome that has awed visitors for nearly two thousand years, the proportions calculated so that the building's height equals its diameter, creating a perfect sphere within the interior space.
Entry now requires a paid ticket after centuries of being free, a change introduced in 2023 to help fund the building's upkeep, though the fee remains modest compared to Rome's other major sights.
Pantheon FAQs
No, since 2023 a modest entrance fee applies, though it remains cheaper than most other major Rome attractions.
The oculus is a deliberate architectural feature, the building's main light source, and rain does fall through onto the marble floor, which is subtly sloped to drain it.
The painter Raphael, along with several kings of Italy, are entombed inside.
About 20-30 minutes.
The present structure dates to around 126 AD under Emperor Hadrian, rebuilt after an earlier Pantheon on the site burned down.
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