Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} Old Roman Structure. The huge domed structure with a 30 foot wide oculus was made of unreinforced concrete and load bearing masonry walls is truly amazing.

Situated on the Plaza della Rotonda, Rome.
The original was built in 27BC by Marcus Agrippa as a temple to "all the gods" and destroyed during the great fire in 80 AD. The present building dates from 125AD when emperor Hadrianus had it rebuild. Later it wassanctified as a church ( Sancta Maria del Martyri or Our Lady of the Martyrs. The cassettes in the cupola used to be lined in bronze, but Pope Urbanus VIII had the bronze melted to fashion tha baldaquin of St.Peters Church with it.
The height from floor to oculus ( "eye" or the part of the cupola that is left open) is 43.30m, the same as the cupola's diamtere. That made is the largest cupola in the world for over 1300 years. To many people it is to this day one of the high points of architecture

Also buried there are two kings of Italy: Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I, as well as Umberto's Queen, Margherita. Although Italy has been a republic since 1946, volunteer members of Italian monarchist organisations maintain a vigil over the royal tombs in the Pantheon. This has aroused protests from time to time from republicans, but the Catholic authorities allow the practice to continue, although the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage[14] is in charge of the security and maintenance.

The Pantheon is still used as a church. Masses are celebrated there, particularly on important Catholic days of obligation, and weddings

In Rome, I found a timeless dimension that made me realize that this city has survived so many souls, without losing its power. Rome is a very relaxed city, the people are taking life more pure and are not part of the RATRACE. These massive and strong buildings.. I was even looking for places where I could make a change with my energy, that you feel you can add something to the moment, the city atmosphere. But Rome showed me the path to myself and laughed tender at me. Cause Rome is a city with an old wise soul, an already complete city, we can enjoy it's power, the rich history that will last for many more centuries!

You don't have to be architecture buff to enjoy this building. It has such a long history, originally built as a temple in Roman time for all the gods, later it was turned into a church and survived in this form. There are a lot of interesting things inside, some tombs of famous peoplelike Rafael. The most impressive thing is the dome which still inspires architects today and you just have to enter to see why.