Free entrance to the Pantheon Rome with your Rome City Pass

The Pantheon in Rome is the best-preserved building from ancient Rome. The impressive building, dedicated to ‘all gods’, offers you an authentic insight into the genius of Roman architects. This extraordinary church, now known as the ‘Basilica di Santa Maria ad Martyres’, has survived the centuries almost unchanged and stands as a living testimony to Roman engineering.

What makes the Pantheon in Rome so special: Completed under Emperor Hadrian around 126 AD, the architecture of the Roman Pantheon showcases revolutionary construction techniques that were far ahead of their time. The absolute highlight is the monumental dome – the largest unreinforced concrete dome ever constructed. For over 1,700 years, no one was able to surpass this technical masterpiece. 

The famous dome and the Opaion: The dome of the Pantheon in Rome measures exactly 43 metres in diameter, which is exactly the same as the height from floor to ceiling. These perfect proportions create a harmonious space that could theoretically fit a complete sphere. At the top of the dome is the Opaion, a 9-metre-wide opening that serves as the only source of natural light. This opening creates a dramatic lighting effect that moves through the interior like a spotlight throughout the day. 

What awaits you inside: The Pantheon in Rome impresses with its coffered ceilings, which reduce the weight of the dome while creating a fascinating optical depth. The marble floors have a clever, subtle slope towards hidden drains, ingeniously directing rainwater that falls through the Opaion away. Ancient tombs, Renaissance masterpieces and royal burial sites – including Raphael's final resting place – make every corner historically significant. 

The history of the Pantheon tells of a remarkable transformation: from a pagan temple to all gods to a Christian church in 609 AD. This conversion saved the building from destruction and has preserved it as an active place of worship to this day.

Famous tombs in the Pantheon: from Renaissance geniuses to Italian kings 

The Pantheon in Rome is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also the final resting place of important figures. 

Raphael – The master of the Renaissance: The most famous tomb belongs to Raffaello Sanzio, one of the greatest painters of the Renaissance. He died in 1520 at the age of only 37 and was buried in the Pantheon at his own request. A Latin inscription honours him as an artist whom even nature feared would surpass her. His fiancée, Maria Bibbiena, rests beside him. 

The Italian kings: Since the unification of Italy, the Pantheon has served as the burial place of the Savoy royal family. Here you will find the tombs of King Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of united Italy, and King Umberto I with his wife Queen Margherita. An eternal flame honours Victor Emmanuel III. The tombs are still guarded by an honorary guard today. 

Other notable figures: The painter Annibale Carracci, the composer Arcangelo Corelli and the architect Baldassare Peruzzi also found their final resting place here.