Things to See Inside the Pantheon in Rome: A Traveler’s Guide
Located in Rome, Italy, the Pantheon is a famous and must-visit attraction with 7 million annual visitors.
It is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings, dating back to 126 AD, and has a huge facade featuring 16 giant columns and a beautiful fountain.
The interior of the Pantheon in Rome features a huge dome, oculus, altars, chapels, and statues, adding charm to its architectural beauty.
After visiting the Pantheon in Rome, you will understand why people call it the 8th Wonder of the World.
Buy your to see this stunning cathedral now!
Pantheon Rome Interior
Visitors can observe religious elements inside Pantheon Rome, including altars and artwork dedicated to St. Mary and the Martyrs.
The interior of the Pantheon in Rome features eight recessed spaces. The main one is the High Altar, dedicated to St. Mary.
Three of them are tombs; one is the final resting place of the renowned artist Raphael’s tomb in the Pantheon in Rome.
And the other two are Kings of Italy, including Vittorio Emanuele, known as the ‘Father of the Nation.’
The other four recesses are chapels dedicated to St. Joseph, the crucifixion of Jesus, the Madonna of Clemency, and the Annunciation.
During your visit, the Pantheon Rome interior will leave you amazed.
The Coffered Dome
The church features a huge dome, the largest dome on record for 1300 years.
Today, it is established as the largest unsupported concrete dome in the world.
The dome’s interior has a series of recessed panels known as coffers.
These coffers have a dual function, adding elegance to its interior and diminishing the dome’s overall weight.
These five rows of twenty-eight coffers ensure an even distribution of forces, improving stability.
Know the Pantheon Rome’s Dome in our detailed article covering all the facts!
Rotunda
After seeing the entrance and passing the huge bronze doors, you enter the rotunda inside Pantheon Rome.
The rotunda is the central space inside the Pantheon that features a massive circular hall with a vast dome above.
Its hall is very large, with a diameter of approximately 43.3 meters (142 feet), almost half the length of a football field.
The floor of the Pantheon’s dome features a sophisticated geometric design made of colored marble arranged in intricate patterns.
It has a dome that soars high above, with an apex at the center where a circular opening called the oculus lies.
Floor and Marble Decorations
Underfoot, the floor of the Pantheon showcases an elegant geometric pattern of colored marble, meticulously laid out in intricate designs.
As you walk through the dome, the smoothness of the marble under your feet is a tactile reminder of the artistry that went into creating this architectural masterpiece.
It comprises over 20 different types of marble, including white marble from Carrara, green marble from Laconia, and red marble from Egypt.
The marble is arranged in a complex, visually appealing, durable geometric pattern.
The floor of the Pantheon is a marvel of engineering. It is estimated that the original floor could support over 20,000 people.
It has been preserved for over 2,000 years and is still one of the most impressive marble floors in the world.
It is a reminder of the skill and ingenuity of the ancient Romans.
Oculus
The oculus is a 25-foot-wide circular opening at the pinnacle of the Rome Pantheon’s dome.
It is a marvel of ancient engineering, serving as a celestial window, sundial, and drainage system.
The oculus is the only source of natural light for the Pantheon, and its design allows for various effects throughout the day.
It casts a beam of light across the marble floor at sunrise, illuminating the statues and niches that line the walls.
As the sun moves across the sky, the beam of light moves with it, creating a changing pattern of light and shadow.
If you want to know more about this oculus, read our detailed article on the Pantheon Dome.
This is not the end. There are some more things to see inside the Pantheon that you should not miss.
The Altars
Inside the Pantheon in Rome are many altars, which serve as designated areas for religious ceremonies and rituals.
The Main Altar
The main altar is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ.
This alleviation, placed in the middle of the altar, depicts a passage from the Bible in which the Virgin Mary is carried to heaven by angels.
The Assumption of the Virgin Mary is a Catholic doctrine that states that the Virgin Mary was taken up to heaven, body and soul, at the end of her life.
It is a reminder of the Virgin Mary’s role as a mediator between God and humanity, and it offers hope and comfort to all who see it.
Altar of the Holy Spirit
The Altar of the Holy Spirit is situated to the right of the main altar inside Pantheon Rome and is dedicated to the Holy Spirit.
It’s made of marble and has a relief in the middle, showing the Holy Spirit coming down to the apostles.
Around this picture, a pretty border of flowers makes it look more beautiful.
The Altar of St. Peter
The Altar of St. Peter is located to the left of the main altar and is dedicated to St. Peter.
It is made of marble and has a relief of St. Peter being crucified upside down at the center.
The Altar of St. Peter is significant for several reasons. First, it is located in the Roman Pantheon, a pagan temple.
This shows the triumph of Christianity over paganism.
It is open to the public during the regular hours of the Pantheon. Visitors can approach the altar and pray, but not touch it.
If you are planning to visit the Altar of St. Peter, be sure to dress respectfully.
You should also be aware that the Pantheon is a very popular tourist destination, so it may be crowded. Therefore, it is recommended to .
The Altar of St. Paul
The Altar of St. Paul is located in the back of the Pantheon and is dedicated to St. Paul.
It is made of white marble and has a relief of St. Paul being beheaded at the center.
The Altar of St. Paul is significant for several reasons. First, it is one of the oldest altars in Rome, dating back to the early 18th century.
Second, it is dedicated to St. Paul, one of the most influential figures in the early Christian church.
Third, it is located in the Pantheon, one of the most iconic buildings in the world.
The Altar of St. Paul is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture. The altar is also topped with a large crucifix.
Get fast-track tickets to the Pantheon
- Skip the line access
- Free audio guide
- Duration 1 hr
The Chapels
Inside the Pantheon of Rome, you’ll find four chapels dedicated to the Madonna of Clemency, St. Joseph, the Crucifixion of Jesus, and the Annunciation.
Each is decorated beautifully with fine Renaissance art—frescoes, sculptures, and paintings.
The Chapel of St. Joseph
The Chapel of St. Joseph is located inside the Pantheon’s northeast apse.
It is dedicated to Saint Joseph, the husband of the Virgin Mary and the foster father of Jesus Christ.
The chapel is decorated with scenes from the life of Saint Joseph.
The Chapel of the Annunciation
The Chapel of the Annunciation is located in the northwest apse inside the Pantheon in Rome.
It is dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary.
The chapel is decorated with a fresco of the Annunciation, painted by Melozzo da Forlì in the 15th century.
Chapel of the Crucifixion
The Chapel of the Crucifixion is located in Rome’s southwest apse of the Pantheon.
It is dedicated to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
The chapel is decorated with a fresco of the Crucifixion, painted by Giovanni Battista Piranesi in the 18th century.
Chapel of the Madonna of Clemency
The Chapel of the Madonna of Clemency is located inside the Pantheon’s southeast apse.
It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, often represented as the Madonna of Clemency.
During the 17th century, Giovanni Battista Gaulli painted a fresco of the Madonna of Clemency that adorns the chapel.
Tombs Inside the Pantheon
One of the reasons the Pantheon is so famous is due to the tombs of renowned artists and kings inside.
Kings of Italy
Vittorio Emmanuelle II successfully unified all of the sub-kingdoms of Italy to form one great nation between 1861 and 1871.
When he died in 1878, he was buried in the Pantheon. His tomb, dominating one interior wall, reads Padre della Patria, which translates to the “Father of the Homeland.”
On Vittorio Emanuele II’s death, his son ascended as King Umberto, the first to the throne.
Umberto reigned for over two decades and was buried alongside his father in the Pantheon with a great ceremony after his assassination.
Umberto and his wife, Margherita, are interred in the same tomb decorated with lion heads.
Raphel and Other Artists
Raphle’s Tomb in the Pantheon of Rome lies on the back left-hand side of the structure.
Raphael, a great artist who lived from 1483 to 1520, is located under a statue of Mary holding baby Jesus to her left, which was done by an artist named Lorenzetto.
His tomb reads ILLE HIC EST RAFFAEL, TIMUIT QUO SOSPITE VINCI, RERUM MAGNA PARENS ET MORIENTE MORI.
It means, “Living, great nature feared he might outlive her works; and, dying, she fears herself may die.”
Other than Raphel, several other artists—Annibale Carracci, Baldassare Peruzzi, and Taddeo Zuccaro—were buried inside the Pantheon in Rome.
Purchase your now and enjoy your visit!
FAQ’s
Can you go inside the Pantheon Rome?
Yes, visitors are allowed to go inside the Pantheon in Rome. It is open to the public and welcomes millions of visitors annually.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eBuy u003ca href=u0022https://www.getyourguide.com/pantheon-rome-l2897/rome-35-minute-pantheon-audio-guide-tour-t122912?partner_id=ENOO9B2u0026amp;cmp=pantheonrome-2u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopener sponsoredu0022u003ePantheon Rome tickets nowu003c/au003e and enjoy your visit with a skip-the-line entry!
What is inside the Pantheon in Rome?
Inside the Pantheon of Rome, you’ll find a stunning interior with altars, chapels, statues, and religious artwork.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eThe main attractions include the Rotunda, the Coffered Dome, the Oculus, and various altars dedicated to saints and religious figures.
Is it worth going inside the Pantheon in Rome?
Yes, going inside the Pantheon in Rome is worth it. It is a testimonial to architecture and artistry, due to which it attracts millions of visitors every year.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eA visit is highly recommended for those interested in history, art, and religious architecture.
What are the statues inside the Pantheon?
Inside the Pantheon in Rome, Italy, are various statues and reliefs dedicated to religious figures.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eNotable ones include the relief of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on the Main Altar and the depiction of the Holy Spirit on the Altar of the Holy Spirit.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eAnd the reliefs of St. Peter and St. Paul on their respective altars.