Dedicated to the gods of Pagan Rome in the 2nd century AD, the Pantheon is one of the best-preserved temples in Rome. It was built by Emperor Hadrian on the site of an earlier temple before being gifted to Pope Boniface in 608 AD and transformed into the Santa Maria Rotunda Church.
Marvel at the Corinthian columns fronting the Pantheon, then gaze up at the Latin inscription dating back to 27 BC when the original temple was built by Marcus Agrippa. This Roman landmark is topped by an immense dome, with a nine-metre-wide opening at the top that lets natural light illuminate the building.
Step inside the cylindrical interior where the tombs of Italian poets and painter Raphael are housed, then admire the geometrically-designed marble floor that dates back to Ancient Rome. After visiting the Pantheon, relax in one of the restaurants lining the adjacent square where street artists regularly perform.
Getting there
The Pantheon is located in the heart of Rome, a few minutes’ walk from the bus stops along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. Rome Fiumicino International Airport is 45 minutes’ drive away, while city sightseeing buses regularly stop near the Pantheon.