Pantheon: free of snow

Where: Rome, Italy
When: May 10, 2015
With: Mom, Bobby, Ashley

Last time in Rome = snow. Same old story as my last few posts. So, let's try this again.

The Pantheon was no exception. While it looks like a building that shouldn't be affected by snow, it actually did have a good reason to be closed, unlike some other buildings in Rome (I'm looking at you, Borghese).  The top of the building is a giant dome that has an opening that is completely exposed to the elements. This means that with the snow, the inside was a wet, icy mess. Better luck getting in here next time!

So here we are at that next time. The Pantheon. Originally commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus, it was then rebuilt by Hadrian after a fire destroyed it in 126AD (so you know, sort of "new construction"). Its purpose would have been as a temple, though to which god remains a question. The word "pantheon" translates to "all the gods", but there is no historical evidence to prove this celebrated "all gods". 

I think the Pantheon may be my most favorite building in Rome. It was one of the first I had seen when I was here the first time (our hotel was in the same piazza), and it blows my mind that it looks this good after 2,000 years. I also love how tucked away in the city it is. It sort of just springs up after winding through tight alleyways of shops and restaurants. 

It is also an architectural wonder in this world of modern construction. The dome remains the largest unsupported dome in the entire world. It is equally as tall as the room underneath it is wide. Mathematically perfect. 

Now for the elusive inside. After bumping shoulders with thousands of tourists to get through the columned entranceway (free to get in, so it is understandably mobbed), we entered the domed room. It is monstrous and cavernous. Despite all the decor around the edges (tombs, altarpieces, etc.), it feels so empty. Even with all the people crowding in, the ceiling is so high that it just appears hollow and vast. 

In the 600s AD, the temple was converted into a church, and it continues to function and practice to this day. Hence the massive altar piece in the back of the room. It also has become the burial place of two of Italy's kings, each flanking the sides of the round room. 

At the very top of the dome is, as previously mentioned, the giant empty hole in the roof. The bad thing about this is obviously the snow and rain. BUT the cool part about this is that the building is mostly lit by natural light pouring in the top. It helps with the time travel element, as this is how people were experiencing the Pantheon for hundreds of years before electricity. 

Glad I finally got to experience the inside of one of my favorite buildings in Rome.