Pantheon Rome
Free entrance to the Pantheon Rome with your Rome City Pass
Highlights
Gallery
What awaits you on site
The Pantheon through the ages
The fascinating construction of the current building dates back to the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who had it rebuilt as a temple in the second century AD. During the reign of Emperor Honorius, its use as a temple was permanently discontinued until the Middle Ages. It was consecrated as a Christian church in the sixth century. The official name of the Roman Catholic church is Santa Maria ad Martyres. The dome is an architectural masterpiece and delights both locals and tourists alike. The only source of light is the nine metre round hole at the highest point of the dome. The sunshine creates an unforgettable atmosphere.
M-AGRIPPA-L-F-COS-TERTIVM-FECIT
This can be translated as ‘Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, consul for the third time, made this.’ This inscription refers to the original construction of the Pantheon commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during his third term as consul in 27 BC. Note that Agrippa's original construction was a different building and not the current Pantheon. However, the current Pantheon as we know it today was built in the years 118-128 AD under Emperor Hadrian. Above the original inscription by Agrippa is another inscription:
‘IMP-CAES-DIVI-TRAIANI-PARTHICI-F-DIVI-NER-NERVAE-NEP-DIVI-TRAJ-F-DIVI-NER-NER-F-HADRIANVS-AVG-PONTIF-MAX-TRIB-POT-COS-III-P-P’
This inscription names the Roman Emperor Hadrian and lists his titles and offices. The translation reads something like: ‘The Emperor Caesar Trajan Hadrian, son of the deified Trajan, grandson of the deified Nerva, Pontifex Maximus, holder of tribune power, triple consul, father of the fatherland.’ These inscriptions thus provide information about the history of the construction of the Pantheon and the imperial authority at the time of Hadrian.
Visitor information
Monday to Sunday: 9.00 am to 7.00 pm (last admission 06.45 pm)
Opening times are subject to change (depending on the season). For up-to-date information, please check the official website of the Pantheon
Piazza della Rotonda,
00186 Rome RM, Italy
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