
It is an imposing
monument considered a masterpiece of the
Roman architecture. It is one of the
ancient and best conserved monuments in
the world. Consul Agrippa had it built
in 27 A.D. Placed in "Piazza della
Rotonda" near "Piazza Minerva" it was
named "Pantheon" because it was a temple
dedicated to several divinities. Thanks,
first, to the restoration by Domiziano,
and then to the reconstruction by
Adriano in 130 A.D., it has remained
nearly integral. In 609 A.D. this temple
was given by Emperor Foca to Pope
Bonifacio IV and changed into a church;
this is the reason why it is still in
excellent conditions. Nearly all what
you can admire was built in Roman age,
even the dome, 43,4 metres high, and the
solid bronze door. The arcade is
decorated, inside, with valuable
polychrome marbles whereas its façade
has 16 monolithic granitic columns which
are 14 metres high. Inside, the
"Pantheon" has a circular plan and a
stately lacunar dome. The only opening
is in the middle of the dome and creates
a luminous effect that exalts the
grandiosity and the harmony of this
monument. In its chapels there are
numerous works of art and the tombs of
thrItalian royal families, of
Baldassarre Peruzzi and Taddeo Zuccari
and, above all, there is Raffaello's
grave.
Car : 2.9 km 6 min
Mix: 1 km, 19 min
On foot: 2.3 km, 34 min
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