The Pantheon

As the best-preserved monument from Ancient Rome, the Pantheon remains an architectural ghost story, standing essentially unchanged for two millennia as the city has surged and receded around it.

What to expect

You enter through the massive granite Corinthian columns of the portico into a rotunda that defies the laws of physics. The interior is defined by space: the height from the floor to the top of the dome is exactly equal to its diameter (142 feet). Your eyes will be drawn upward to the oculus, the 27-foot-wide circular opening that serves as the building’s only light source. On a sunny day, a thick, atmospheric shaft of light tracks across the marble interior like a celestial clock. If you are lucky enough to visit during a Roman rainstorm, you will witness the dome’s genius: the water falls through the oculus and flows into 22 nearly invisible, original drainage holes drilled into the slightly convex marble floor, preventing the interior from flooding.

History & significance

Commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus and later rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian around 125 AD, the structure was originally a temple dedicated to "all gods." Its survival is largely due to its consecration as the Church of St. Mary and the Martyrs in 609 AD. The dome remains the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, an engineering marvel that baffled architects for centuries. Inside, you are standing among the tombs of Italian kings and Renaissance masters, most notably the painter Raphael, whose sarcophagus rests in a simple marble niche.

Practical tips

Since 2023, the Pantheon requires a paid entry ticket. Book your ticket online via the official Museo Pantheon website several days in advance to bypass the often grueling ticket-office line.

• Hours: Generally 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM (last entry at 6:30 PM).
• The Queue: Even with a pre-booked time slot, expect a wait. The shortest lines occur at opening time or thirty minutes before closing.
• Dress Code: As a consecrated church, shoulders and knees should be covered.

Getting there

The Pantheon sits at the heart of the Pigna neighborhood. Because of the labyrinthine, pedestrian-heavy nature of the historic center, public transport doesn't stop directly at the door. The closest metro station is Barberini (Line A), about a 15-minute walk away. Alternatively, take the bus (lines 30, 492, or 70) to the Senato stop, just a two-minute walk from the Piazza della Rotonda.

Nearby

• Sant'Eustachio Il Caffè: Just a five-minute walk away on Piazza di S. Eustachio, this is widely considered to serve the best espresso in Rome. Order at the bar like a local.
• Piazza Navona: A three-minute stroll west leads you to this grand Baroque square, built on the footprint of the ancient Stadium of Domitian and anchored by Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers.
• Largo di Torre Argentina: Walk ten minutes south to see the site of Julius Caesar’s assassination, now an open-air archaeological dig and an impromptu sanctuary for Rome’s street cats.