Often mentioned as the best-preserved building from ancient Rome, the Pantheon is a former temple in that has incredible historic and cultural significance. The Pantheon has been enormously influential in Western architecture, directly and indirectly inspiring the design of buildings across the world. This impact has allowed it to become an icon for Rome, but that impact is driven by the experiences that both residents and visitors can have with 2,000 years of history.
From Temple to Church to Icon
The first Pantheon was built in Rome around 27 BC and dedicated by Marcus Agrippa. The names comes from the Greek word “pantheon” which means to honor all of the gods (particularly the Olympian divinities). The original building was destroyed by fire in 80 A.D., while the next version was hit by lightning and destroyed by fire in 110 A.D.
The third and current Pantheon was likely begun in the reign of Trajan (98-117 CE) but not finally finished until around 125 CE when Hadrian was emperor. While these temples weren’t exactly the same, the fundamental principle of the old Roman religion required that all of these temples be rebuilt without changes in the original form.
In the year 609 the Pantheon was the first pagan temple to be transformed into a church and therefore it was saved from being destroyed during the Middle Ages. Today it is a church dedicated to St. Mary of the Martyrs. The Pantheon basilica continues to serve as a Christian church where masses are held every week and at special events. The significance of the building has also seen it host the tombs of the Italian monarchy Victor Emmanuel II, Raphael, Annibale Carracci, Baldassare Peruzzi and other notable people.
The Piazza della Rotonda, named after the Pantheon, directly surrounds the structure. In the middle of it sits a fountain, Fontana del Pantheon, which was constructed under Pope Gregory XIII in 1575. In 1711, Pope Clement XI requested that the fountain be modified and had Filippo Barignoni design a new layout, which included a different basin, made of stone, and the obelisk of Ramses II set in the center on a plinth with four dolphins decorating the base.
The history of the building and area are unparalleled, but it’s the experiences that have been enabled for both residents and visitors inside and around the structure that have allowed it to become an icon for Rome.
Transformation and Experiences
Located within walking distance of the Fountain di Trevi and other notable Roman monuments, the modern city of Rome has literally been built up around the Pantheon. This development has seen numerous houses and businesses appear alongside the structure, many of which cater to locals. The Pantheon is an active part of the community, as it is still functioning as a Christian church with mass running every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. There is also a Saturday mass at 5 p.m. for European language-speaking attendees. Additionally, a midnight mass is held every year at Christmas Eve.
However, the space is consistently full of visitors who are there to see what is still one of the world’s largest unreinforced concrete domes along with the tombs and other notable pieces of history associated with the building. Visitors can freely enter the Pantheon where they can experience the beauty and significance of the interior for themselves.
Outside the Pantheon, anyone can sit about and around the Piazza della Rotond, which is surrounded by businesses of all types that cater to these crowds. There are restaurants, hotels, shops and various stores that not only sell items associated with the Pantheon but also incorporate the icon into their offerings. The sense of identity the Pantheon has created allows both residents and visitors to benefit from this identity in distinct ways.
This transformation of the building and space has protected the legacy of the Pantheon to ensure everyone can experience the history and culture of the building in their own way. In doing so, the Pantheon has come to represent what it can mean for a monument to not only protect the legacy of a culture but to become an icon for it.
Connecting the Past and Future of Rome
By providing visitors with the opportunity to experience the past in such a powerful way, both residents and tourists have been able to engage with the Pantheon in distinct manners that distinctly resonate with them. This impact has seen it become an icon for Rome that will continue to impact the culture of the city and all of Italy.
