The Pantheon is iconic, but not in the same way as other ancient Roman sites.
The Pantheon architecture style is one you’ve likely seen multiple times — maybe even in your own city. The triangular pediment and long columns are recognizable edifices that other architects have mimicked countless times.
Still, there’s one only Pantheon (well, technically, there are three versions of the Pantheon in Roman history) and there’s only one place to see it. Here’s what you need to know about the Pantheon in Rome and how to get there by train.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Francesco Riccardo Iacomino. Image Location: Rome, Italy
What are 5 interesting facts about the Pantheon?
The Pantheon in Rome history is among the most revered sites in the Eternal City.
- The doors to the Pantheon, while still hundreds of years old, are one of the few elements of the Pantheon that aren’t part of its original construction.
- The "Panthéon" in Paris is obviously a direct copy of the Roman Pantheon, down to the Paris Panthéon’s purpose as the final resting place for important French figures.
- The last king of Italy, Umberto II, is buried in the Pantheon.
- Thomas Jefferson used the Pantheon architecture as inspiration for the University of Virginia Rotunda and his Monticello mansion.
- Though Marcus Agrippa is credited with the creation of the current Pantheon, he was only responsible for the first of the three Pantheons erected at the site.
Image Credit: Getty Images, Alexander Spatari. Image Location: Rome, Italy
What is the Pantheon in Rome famous for?
The Pantheon in Rome is famous for two things: its architecture and its history, which go hand in hand. It’s one of the most preserved monuments in Rome and a marvel of engineering. The Pantheon is also the final resting place for a few notable names like the artist Raphael. The fact that it’s not as ruined as other Roman buildings lends researchers loads of historical context.
How old is the Pantheon?
The age of the Pantheon is tough to pin down exactly, but the Pantheon as it stands today is almost 2,000 years old. However, this Pantheon is in its third iteration. If we consider the original temple built on this site, then the Pantheon as a place of worship for the gods is around 2,050 years old.
Who is buried in Pantheon Rome?
Only a few people have the honor of calling Rome’s Pantheon their final resting place. The Kings Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I, as well as Umberto’s wife Queen Margherita, are the primary royals buried in the Pantheon. Other tombs contain famous artists like Medardo Rosso, Annibale Carracci, Baldassare Peruzzi, and the Renaissance legend, Raphael.
When was the Pantheon built?
The Pantheon was built not once, but three times across Rome’s history. The documentation is a loose record at best and slightly unreliable at worst; but it’s thought that the first Pantheon was built around 26 BC, then rebuilt twice: once in 80 AD and once in 110, both due to fire destruction.
Why is the Pantheon still so important in architecture?
The Pantheon architecture style has classic Roman hallmarks, including the marble flooring and the entry’s rows of Corinthian columns beneath a triangular pediment. Pantheon architecture facsimiles are found around the world, including throughout the United States. The oculus opening at the top of the dome is especially impressive, as so much of the Pantheon is built from heavy stone yet the architecture was so well designed that the building survived earthquakes and flooding without collapsing.
Image Credit: Getty Images, momo11353. Image Location: Rome, Italy
What is the Pantheon used for today?
The Pantheon is a tourist attraction today, one of the most visited in Rome. But the Pantheon’s purpose isn’t solely for your Instagram feed. It’s still used as an active gathering space for Catholic mass, serving as a church much the same way it had when it was a Roman pagan temple and a Chirsitan church.
Why is it called a Pantheon?
The word “pantheon” comes from the Greek word πάνθεον, with πάν meaning “pan” (all) and θεον meaning “theos” (gods). So, the pantheon literally means “of all gods” and the Rome Pantheon purpose is to act as a temple to honor the gods.
Need more Pantheon in Rome facts for your weekly pub trivia game or to inspire your little ones with the wonders of Ancient Rome? Visit it in person!
Great hotels near the Pantheon in Rome range from the five-star The Pantheon Iconic Rome Hotel, Autograph Collection and Pantheon Relais to the budget-friendly Hotel Mimosa and the family-friendly Hotel Campo de’ Fiori.
Download the Trainline app and let us get you to Roma Termini train station. From there, jump on the Rome Metro at the Termini stop, ride the metro A line to Barberini stop and walk less than a mile to the Pantheon.
For more travel inspiration to and from Rome, see also:
- The best day trips by train from Italy’s Eternal City
- A tourist’s guide to the Colosseum in Rome, Italy
- When in Cinque Terre: the perfect day trip from Rome
- The Amalfi Coast: a great day trip from Rome by train
- See the ancient city of Pompeii by train from Rome
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, David Soanes Photography. Image Location: Rome, Italy
