Notes

"On my first day in Rome I head straight to the Piazza della Rotonda to see what is one of my favourite pieces of architecture in the entire world, the Pantheon. The building was completed in 125 AD during the rule of Emperor Hadrian and stands on top the site of two previous Pantheon building, both destroyed by fires in 80 AD and in 110 AD. The current site has been standing for almost two thousand years and remains well intact. As the name suggests it was built in dedication to the pantheon of Roman gods however it was converted to a Catholic church in 608 AD and still functions as one to this day. The building is split into two parts architecturally; the front entrance with it's almost 12 meter tall Greek Corinthian columns, while the main round building is much more similar to other Roman buildings. The tour guide tells me that the large dome part was covered in sheets of bronze but they was removed in 663 AD, similarly in 1626 AD all of the bronze girders were removed and the metal was recast into cannons. Entering the Pantheon, I take notice that the interior is much more grand and impressive than it's exterior. The massive concrete dome over my head was the largest in the world for over a thousand after it's construction; to build such a great structure the Romans used traventine at the lower portion, while the top and lightest portion was made with a brick to make sure it would not collapse due to weight. At the top I see what is known as the “oculus”, this whole which is 8.8 meters in diameter allows light in from the sun. Before leaving the Pantheon I learn that it is also the tomb of renown Renaissance artist Raphael."