Power of the Pantheon
When in Rome, be gold, be royal, and what's more royal than visiting an absolute masterpiece and an architectural marvel that is the Pantheon, one of the most celebrated and best-preserved monuments in the heart of Rome? The landmark has existed since the time of Marcus Agrippa and has undergone construction several times. Such events of the Pantheon and time-to-time changes in it have made it an eventful diary for the visitors. Get to know all about it with the Pantheon audio guide, the ultimate sightseeing experience.
Pantheon, a tale to tell
Rome is an eternal city of love, war, history, and magnificent architectural wonders, and the Pantheon is located in the heart of Rome. It is amazing how an almost 2000-year-old monument is still standing in all its glory, and the never-ending charm has kept people on their toes. This obscure landmark has inspired, amazed, and educated loads of people, from artists to architects to archeologists and historians, and not to forget the travelers, those who have the staple pantheon as a must-see sight on their bucket list and so have Vox City on its pantheon audio tour.
The Pantheon is the oldest building in the world, along with the largest unsupported dome, originally dedicated to the Greek gods, as the Pantheon is a Greek word for all gods. The legend says that the spot Pantheon was built is the exact same piece of land where the founder of Rome, Romulus, died and was sent to paradise.
Although the inscription on the pantheon states, "Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, built this three times consul" the pantheon today is neither the pantheon built by Marcus Agrippa nor does it resemble the original pantheon built by him. On the Pantheon audio guide narration, you will learn that the Pantheon you come to visit today is the 3rd temple of the Pantheon.
This ancient pantheon has seen several ups and downs and has undergone several constructions. The originally built pantheon by Marcus Agrippa was burned down in an unfortunate fire in 80 AD. The second time it was built was during the reign of Emperor Domitian, but it was destroyed in 110 AD due to lightning and burned. The last time it was reconstructed was in the time of Emperor Hadrian in 126 AD, with more modern designs of the age. However, Emperor Hadrian was kind enough to not take Marcus Agrippa’s name from the inscription in his honor.
As glorious as it is today, the Pantheon was transformed into a Christian church in the 7th century.
Pantheon, an architectural wonder
The Romans were always fascinated by physics, symmetry, and space. The Pantheon is a living example of the Romans's capabilities in mathematics; it can be witnessed as the height from floor to oculus is 142 feet, and the overall dimensions are extremely rich in interior. Therefore, the famous great concrete dome of the Pantheon, which is made of not only concrete but also limestone and volcanic ashes to make it indestructible, to prevent further disasters and not repeat history.
Everything inside the Pantheon has a vast chronicle of ancient Roman history. From its oculus to the portico, altars, and chapels to statues, the Pantheon is nothing less than an ancient Roman art gallery, giving an opportunity to peek into the rich culture and art of the Kingdom of Rome.
The oculus of the Pantheon
The most identifiable aspect of the Pantheon is its oculus, or eye in Latin, which is located precisely in the middle of the dome. The oculus gained notoriety during the Middle Ages because it was thought to be the invention of a fugitive demon.
The 72-foot-wide oculus not only let light pour down to the Pantheon but served as a sundial, lighting the Pantheon's portico and depicting the day's slow changes in hours.
The Portico
The portico is the entrance of the Pantheon with a confusing inscription. The well-known portico of the Pantheon is made up of sixteen monolithic columns. Egyptian granite is the material of choice for the column's shafts, which comprise its elongated sections, while white Greek marble was used to carve the capitals, or decorative tops and bases.
The steps made for the Pantheon's entrance demonstrate its significance to ancient Rome and the reason it continues to draw tourist's attention in the twenty-first century. The Pantheon audio guide is an easy way to learn about the hidden facts about the Pantheon’s exterior and interior and how and when they were made. Detailed information about the pantheon is one way of experiencing the pantheon.
Grand Rotunda
On your Pantheon audio tour, discover the grand rotunda of the majestic Pantheon. The grand rotunda, a monumental circular hall with a diameter of about 43.3 meters, is the Pantheon's main area. The dome of the pantheon covers the grand rotunda, where an 8.8-meter oculus enables light to stream into the entire pantheon.
The Altars
The Pantheon consists of four altars, explore all four with Pantheon’s audio-guided tour.
The Main Altar
The Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which stands in the middle of the main altar, is the most striking object of attention. A biblical scene known as "The Assumption of the Virgin Mary" shows the Virgin Mary being taken up to paradise by angels.
The Holy Spirit Altar
Located at the right of the main altar is the holy spirit altar, made of marble and decorated with the holy spirit descending on the apostle, placed right at the center of the altar.
St. Peter’s Altar
This altar, which honors St. Peter, is situated to the left of the main altar. A sculpture depicting St. Peter being executed upside down highlights the marble altar.
St. Paul Altar
This altar is situated at the back of the Pantheon in honor of St. Paul. The altar is embellished with a marble monument depicting the apostle being executed.
The Pantheon; All Gods
Since the Pantheon was a temple dedicated to the Greek gods and the name itself means all gods (pan = all) and (theon = gods), the landmark is filled with statues of the Greek gods of ancient Rome.
Statue of Jupiter
The large statue of Jupiter, the Roman mythological king of the gods, is positioned in the heart of the rotunda.
Statue of Mars
It represents the Roman god of war, one of the most admired gods of mythology, reflecting his role as protector and guardian of the ancient Roman state.
Statue of Venus
Venus, the ultimate goddess of love, fertility, and beauty, represents the role of women in Roman history and has brightened the already magnificent Pantheon’s interior, representing the abundant life and serenity that the ancient Greeks aspired to represent in their daily lives.
The Pantheon Skip-the-Line Ticket and Digital Audio Tour
Every step you take when using this skip-the-line ticket, which also includes a guided audio tour of the Pantheon, reveals the wonders of an ancient marvel that has stood through the ravages of time and welcomes you to soak up its exquisite beauty like never before. As history comes to life and the Pantheon tells its timeless tale in all of its breathtaking magnificence, get ready to be fascinated.
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