The Pantheon has traveled a very strange and diverse road that starts with pegan god worship to a conversion to a church in the 600's. It is a burial place and contains the tombs of Italian Kings, and the artist Raphael.
At nearly 43 meters high and large marble columns, the Pantheon widens the eyes and has an immediate impression on any passerby. It was the larges dome in all of the world until the Florence Cathedral was constructed in 1436. At the Top of the dome is an opening which is there to bring in its only source of natural light. That light is cast on marble decorated floors and detailed walls.
The Pantheon was not the first temple that was built, it was preceded by two buildings that occupied the very same spot. The first being in 27 BC under emperor Marcus Agrippa, and it was a traditionally shaped structure. That temple, that was dedicated to Mars and Venus, was burned to the ground in 80 AD and was replaced with another in 110 ad. Interestingly enough this two burned to the ground after being struck by lightning in 118 AD. They had simply had enough and emperor Hadrian ordered the Pantheon to be built completely. Time has shown us that the Pantheon, and its circular shape, was built to last.
It is fascinating to observe this structures dome. At the time it was built, the Romans would have to have amazing ability to mix concrete and to understand the ability of the arch to support itself, even with the thickness of concrete lessening as it reaches the top. It is also recorded that the hole at the top of the structure was left out because it reduced the weight of the dome and made it capable of standing. This is truly marvelous, and worth of note.
Additionally its columns, quarried in Egypt, weight upwards on 60 tons. Those large pieces of stone were transported by large barges and other sea vessels. Also inscribed on the columns is a dedication to Marcus Agrippa, not Hadrian. Seeing as Emperor Agrippa raised the first Pantheon and Hadrian just rebuilt it.
This truly is a piece of history that will always fascinate us.
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