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It
is an imposing monument considered a
masterpiece of the Roman architecture. It is
one of the ancient and best conserved
monuments in the world. Consul Agrippa had
it built in 27 A.D. Placed in "Piazza della
Rotonda" near "Piazza Minerva" it was named
"Pantheon" because it was a temple dedicated
to several divinities. Thanks, first, to the
restoration by Domiziano, and then to the
reconstruction by Adriano in 130 A.D., it
has remained nearly integral. In 609 A.D.
this temple was given by Emperor Foca to
Pope Bonifacio IV and changed into a church;
this is the reason why it is still in
excellent conditions. Nearly all what you
can admire was built in Roman age, even the
dome, 43,4 metres high, and the solid bronze
door. The arcade is decorated, inside, with
valuable polychrome marbles whereas its
façade has 16 monolithic granitic columns
which are 14 metres high. Inside, the
"Pantheon" has a circular plan and a stately
lacunar dome. The only opening is in the
middle of the dome and creates a luminous
effect that exalts the grandiosity and the
harmony of this monument. In its chapels
there are numerous works of art and the
tombs of thrItalian royal families, of
Baldassarre Peruzzi and Taddeo Zuccari and,
above all, there is Raffaello's grave. |