The Roman Pantheon is one of the most preserved ancient buildings in Rome.
It was first built by Marcus Agrippa around 27 BC and underwent subsequent reconstruction and modifications.
Built as a Roman temple, this site was transformed into a Catholic church around 609 AD.
It surely has a unique architecture, but what makes it even more interesting is its history.
This article will give you a little glimpse of the history of the Pantheon and share many lesser-known secrets about the attraction.
Let’s have a look at its historic timeline first!
Do you know What is written on the front of the Pantheon in Rome?
M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIVM·FECIT,” is inscribed in front of the building, which translates to “Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, three times consul, made this.
Historic Timeline:
27–25 BC: The first construction of the Pantheon took place by Marcus Agrippa under the reign of Augustus, the founder of the Roman Empire.
80 AD: Pantheon was burned down due to fire.
110 AD: Domitian rebuilt it after the fire but was struck by lightning and burned again.
114 AD: Reconstruction of the Pantheon begins under Emperor Trajan.
125–128 AD: Emperor Hadrian commissioned and completed the renovations of the Pantheon we see today.
609 AD: Pope Boniface IV converted the Roman temple to a Catholic church.
16th century: Raphael, the artist, was buried here along with other artists like Baldassare Peruzzi.
In the 17th century, two bell towers were added before the Pantheon in Rome to make it look more like a church.
1833: Raphael’s tomb was opened up to put out rumors that his body was not there.
19th century: The first kings of Italy, Vittorio Emmanuelle II and Umberto I, found their resting place there.
Construction History of the Pantheon
In 27 BC, after the Battle of Actium, Marcus Agrippa, a Roman statesman and military general under Emperor Augustus, initiated an extensive private complex.
The complex contained three buildings: the Pantheon, the Baths of Agrippa and the Basilica of Neptune.
The Pantheon was built as a Roman temple dedicated to all the Roman gods.
The original Pantheon and other structures in Rome were destroyed by fire around AD 80.
It was reconstructed but destroyed again by another fire in 110 AD.
After the fire, the Pantheon’s reconstruction began under Emperor Trajan’s rule.
It was completed under his successor, Emperor Hadrian, around AD 126.
Hadrian’s architect, likely Apollodorus of Damascus, is credited with designing the present Pantheon building.
The new building featured a large circular dome with beautiful coffers and a portico with huge columns.
Over the centuries, the Pantheon underwent various modifications and renovations, including repairs after damage caused by earthquakes and fires.
Those renovations didn’t change its appearance.
Do you know?
The Dome of the Pantheon Rome is the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome, almost two thousand years after its construction.
It also contains a circular opening, which looks like an oculus (eye) from the bird’s eye view.
Book your Pantheon Rome tickets and enjoy a visit!
Transformation of Pantheon: From a Roman Temple to a Catholic Church
The Pantheon underwent a significant transformation in the 7th century AD.
In 609, the Byzantine emperor Phocas granted the building to Pope Boniface IV, who converted it into a Christian church dedicated to St. Mary and the Martyrs.
This conversion marked a turning point in the history of the Pantheon.
It also saved the Pantheon from abandonment and destruction during the early medieval period, when Roman temples were targeted.
After the transformation, many additional alterations and additions were made to adapt the building for Christian worship.
This involved the installation of new altars, Christian iconography, and other religious furnishings.
Subsequent centuries saw further modifications and losses in the Pantheon, including removing external marble and sculptures.
During his visit to Rome in July 663, Emperor Constantine II stripped the Pantheon of its metal ornaments, including its bronze roof tiles.
In the early 17th century, Pope Urban VIII Barberini removed the bronze ceiling of the portico and replaced the medieval campanile with twin towers, known as “the ass’s ears.”
These towers remained until the late 19th century. Despite these changes, much of the marble interior survived, albeit with extensive restoration.
Do you know Why is there a hole in the Pantheon?
The hole in the dome of the Pantheon in Rome is called the oculus.
It serves as the only source of natural light and ventilation for the building, allowing sunlight and rain to enter.
In ancient Roman culture, it was believed to form a connection between the earthly realm and the heavens.
Pantheon after Renaissance
Since the Renaissance, many notable figures, including architects and artists, have drawn inspiration from the Pantheon, one of whom was Raphael.
Who was Raphael?
Raphael was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance.
He is considered one of the greatest artists of all time, alongside Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.
Some of his notable artworks are at the Prado Museum in Spain.
Raphael expressed his wish to be buried there due to his profound admiration for the Pantheon.
Besides Raphael, the Pantheon has been a site of significant burials, including those of notable figures such as Annibale Carracci, Arcangelo Corelli, and Baldassare Peruzzi.
After the burial of many notable figures, many efforts in the early 20th century aimed to recreate parts of the original design based on Renaissance drawings and paintings.
Today, the Pantheon stands proudly as a testament to ancient Roman architecture, which could build such a huge, unsupported dome.
With over 9 million visitors, the Pantheon continues to serve both as a symbol of architectural ingenuity and as a place of cultural and historical significance.
Secret Fact:
Did you know that during renovations of the Pantheon in 1833, Raphael’s remains were exhumed to verify their identity and put out rumors that his body was not there?
Surprisingly, other skeletons were discovered in the same tomb.
A plaster cast of his skull was created to solve this mystery, and a 3-D reconstruction of his face was made.
The reconstructed face perfectly matched his portraits, conclusively confirming his identity.
FAQs
Is the Pantheon the oldest building in Rome?
Yes, the Pantheon is one of Rome’s oldest and most well-preserved ancient structures. It was first built around 27 BC by Marcus Agrippa.
Who first built the Pantheon?
The Pantheon was first built by Marcus Agrippa, a Roman statesman and military general, during the reign of Emperor Augustus. However, the current structure dates back to the reconstruction commissioned by Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD.
What is the story of the Pantheon?
The Pantheon was originally built as a Roman temple dedicated to all the Roman gods. It underwent several reconstructions and modifications over the centuries, including its transformation into a Catholic church by Pope Boniface IV in 609 AD.
Who is buried in Pantheon?
Several notable figures are buried in the Pantheon, including the renowned Italian painter Raphael and other artists like Baldassare Peruzzi and Annibale Carracci. It also serves as the final resting place for various kings and queens of Italy.
Who was the first woman to be buried in the Pantheon?
Sophie Berthelot (1837-1907) was the first woman to be buried at the Panthéon. She was interred there in 1907, following her family’s wishes not to separate her from her husband, the chemist Marcellin Berthelot.
Why is the Pantheon so important?
The Pantheon is important due to its architectural marvel, historical significance, and cultural symbolism. Its role as a burial site for notable figures also adds to its popularity as a tourist attraction.
Can you get married in the Pantheon?
Yes, the Roman Pantheon is a functional church, so weddings are permitted there.
What is the history of Pantheon architecture?
The Pantheon’s architecture spans over two millennia, starting with its construction around 27 BC by Marcus Agrippa. It was rebuilt twice due to fires before Emperor Hadrian completed the current structure in 125 AD. Hadrian envisioned a grander structure for the Pantheon than the original one, creating the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.
What is the biggest mystery about the Pantheon?
One of the biggest mysteries surrounding the Pantheon is the exact method used by ancient Roman engineers to construct its massive dome, especially considering the limited technology available at that time.
Featured Image: Romeinfo