Who is Buried in the Pantheon in Rome?

The Pantheon in Rome is known for its impressive architecture and historical significance. Built during Emperor Hadrian's reign around 126 A.D., it features a massive portico with 16 Corinthian columns, each 40 feet tall, supporting a pediment. The inscription on the Pantheon's portico credits Marcus Agrippa for its construction, but the current building was actually commissioned by Emperor Hadrian in 126 A.D. Hadrian kept Agrippa's name as a tribute.

It was possibly a temple dedicated to all Roman gods, but its exact purpose is still debated. The name "Pantheon" means "all gods" in Greek. In 609 A.D., the Pantheon was converted into a Christian church, which helped preserve it from destruction and plundering. Every year on Pentecost, thousands of rose petals are dropped from the oculus, symbolizing the descent of the Holy Spirit. During the Middle Ages, the Pantheon's oculus, a central opening in the dome, was believed to have been created by fleeing demons when the building was consecrated as a church.

The Pantheon's dome is the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. Ancient Roman engineers used lightweight materials like pumice at the top and heavier stones at the bottom to achieve this feat. Originally, the Pantheon's dome was covered in bronze, but much of it was stripped away by Byzantine Emperor Constans II and later by Pope Urban VIII, who used it to cast cannons.

Besides being a marvel of ancient engineering, it serves as the final resting place for several notable Italians. The Pantheon houses the tombs of Italy's first kings, Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I, as well as renowned artists like Raphael and Annibale Carracci.

Raphael, the renowned painter, was the first artist to be buried there in 1520. His death at 37 was a significant event, and his tomb is marked with a touching inscription and a sculpture by Lorenzetto: "Here lies Raphael, by whom Nature feared to be outdone while he lived, and when he died, feared that she herself would die.”

Annibale Carracci, another influential artist, followed Raphael in burial at the Pantheon. Known for his contribution to the Baroque movement, Carracci's death was mourned deeply in Rome. His notable works include the frescoed ceiling in the Palazzo Farnese.

Taddeo Zuccaro, a significant fresco artist, is also buried in the Pantheon. His work in various Roman palaces is still admired today. He was one of the most popular members of the Roman mannerist school.

Baldassare Peruzzi, an architect and painter, lies in the Pantheon as well. He is famed for designing the Villa Farnesina and Palazzo Massimo alle Colonne in Rome.

Flaminio Vacca, a sculptor, earned his place in the Pantheon due to his membership in the Accademia dei Virtuosi. His works include sculptures in Santa Maria Maggiore and the Chiesa Nuova.

In the 19th century, the Pantheon became the burial site for Italy's first kings. King Vittorio Emanuele II, known as the "Father of the Homeland," and his son, King Umberto I, along with Queen Margherita, are interred in grand tombs within the Pantheon. Their presence symbolizes the unification and formation of modern Italy.

Architecture

If you were to look at a cross-section of the Pantheon by slicing it in half, you'll notice something fascinating: the dome's interior can perfectly accommodate a 43.3-meter diameter sphere. This means that if you were to place a giant ball inside the Pantheon, it would just touch the floor and the highest point of the dome.

This clever design highlights the Pantheon's architectural brilliance, as the dome's height is equal to its diameter, creating a perfectly balanced and harmonious space. Additionally, the walls of the Pantheon are impressively thick, measuring about 6 meters (20 feet) at the base. This substantial thickness tapers as the walls rise, providing the necessary support for the massive dome above. The design of these walls incorporates a combination of heavy materials at the bottom and lighter materials at the top, contributing to the structure's stability and durability. This thoughtful engineering approach has helped the Pantheon withstand the test of time for nearly 2,000 years.

Travel

Piazza della Signoria, located in the heart of Florence, is a historic square that has been a political and social hub since the 14th century. Dominated by the imposing Palazzo Vecchio, the city's town hall, the square is a vibrant open-air museum featuring numerous statues and monuments. One of the most notable structures in the piazza is the Loggia dei Lanzi, a stunning 14th-century open-air gallery that houses remarkable Renaissance sculptures. Among its most famous pieces are Benvenuto Cellini's "Perseus with the Head of Medusa" and Giambologna's "Rape of the Sabine Women." The Loggia dei Lanzi offers an unparalleled opportunity to appreciate these masterpieces in their intended public setting, contributing to the piazza's atmosphere of historical grandeur and artistic significance.

Art