This is the only perfectly preserved ancient building of Rome. The building has been in continuous use for some 2000 years. It was founded in 27BC as a temple for many gods. It was rebuilt by Hadrian and delicated to the 7 planetary deities. It is now a catholic church It was perfected proportioned and remained the largest dome in the world for many centuries. It has a hollowed coffer ceiling built with concrete to reduce the weight. The entrance is supported by 16 granite columns. Inside it has 7 chapelscontain the tombs of the king of Italy and Ralphael, the painter. The most famous Roman dome, and the largest, is in the Pantheon, a building in Rome originally built as a temple. Dating from the 2nd century, it is an unreinforced concrete dome resting on a thick circular wall, or rotunda. The circular opening at the top of the dome is called the Oculus, and it provides light and ventilation for the interior. The height to the oculus and the diameter of the interior walls are the same, 43.3 meters (142 ft). It remained the largest dome in the world for more than a millennium and is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome Wikipedia on Dome.

1. Pantheon, Rome
The oldest building in continue use for 2000 years
First created 6 Sep 2010. Version 4.0 - 5 Jan 2020. Daperrp. London.

2. Pantheon
It was built in 118-125 AD, nearly 2000 years ago. The
poet Shelley called it “The unmeasured dome of Heaven.”
Pantheon, Rome

3. TimelineoftheRomanworld

4. During the reign of Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD), the Roman Empire stretched all the way
from Scotland to the Persian Gulf, plus all the lands bordering the Mediterranean sea.
During his time the empire was relatively at peace with its neighbouring tribes. The only
formidable enemy was the Parthian Empire, in now Iran, on the Eastern frontier.
RomanworldunderHadrian

5. The Roman invented concrete
which was forgotten after the
collapse of the empire. Bricks
were commonly used in
construction.
The Roman also used arches
extensively. Many of its
buildings used curves in their
construction. The Coliseum
and the Pantheon are two well-
known examples.
Rubble Wall
Arch
Central heating
Concrete vault
Coffered vault
Roman constructions

6. Interior
The Pantheon was built as a temple,
just outside Rome. Pantheon is a
temple built for many gods.
The Roman Pantheon
On the original building, the dome
was covered with sheets of bronze
giving it a shinny golden surface. The
lower part of the external wall were
covered with marbles. It also had a
bronze door.

7. AmarvelofRomanengineering
The cross section of the building.

8. Reconstruction

9. It the 609 AD the building was
transform into a church,
dedicated to Santa Maria dei
Martyri, after the bones of
Christian martyrs were bought
here from the catacombs.
Pantheon - History
In the reign of Augustus
Caesar, the site was dedicated
to the major gods (Mars, Venus
etc.). The building was
rectangular in shape.
The building was rebuilt
between 118 and 125 AD,
during the reign of Hadrian.

10. 19Cview

11. Pantheon is a milestone in the history of Architecture.

12. The piazza Fontana
Fontana del Pantheon in the piazza. First design in 1575 but modified since.

13. Fontana del Pantheon
Fonatana del Pantheon in the piazza in front of the Pantheon.

14. Fontana del Pantheon
A water spout at the Fonatana del Pantheon,

15. The external brick wall

16. Pantheon
Plaza Navona

17. The portico with its 16 granite columns.

18. map
A 3D spherical plan

19. The main components of the
building – the portico, the
rotunda and the dome.
A brilliant composition
of geometric forms.

20. map
Side view of the dome.

21. The ceiling is an unreinforced concrete
dome resting on a thick circular wall or
rotunda. The circular opening at the top
of the dome is called the Oculus,
providing light and ventilation.
The Pantheon has a coffered dome.
This reduces the material used for
construction and therefore the weight of
the ceiling.
From the diagram above you can also
see the cross-section of the roof get
thinner as the dome gets higher.
Method of Construction
Very light stone called pumice, which
float on water, were used as the raw
material with the concrete. It further
reduce the weight of the dome.
Coffers dome
Oculus
Buttressing
Piers
7 recesses for 7 gods
Pier, support for span
Portico
Portico
Rotunda

22. map
The wall in 3 sections with embedded arches

23. The giant bronze door entrance

24. The coffered concrete ceiling

25. The diameter of the dome is 43.3 meters (142 ft). It remained the largest dome in the world for
more than a millennium and is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. There are 5
rows of coffers, to reduce the weight of the dome, around the ceiling.
The Oculus – only source of light

26. Raphael, the painter was buried here. A small black statue on the wall marked his grave.

27. Tomb of Raphael. He was a Renaissance
painter who spent his earlier career
painted many Madonna and Child for the
church. He portrayed parental
relationship between Madonna and Child.
Raphael Tomb

28. map
Raphael’s sarcophagus was inscribed with these words “Bones and ashes”.
Raphael Tomb

29. Seven niches for seven gods.

30. A statue of St Joseph There is a shrine of St Joseph in Pantheon.
St Joseph

31. Interior
It is the best preserved
building of ancient Rome.
The oldest building in the
world, still in use today.

33. Altar
The high altar

34. The ceiling over the main altar

35. The high altar
The high altar was designed by Alessandro Specchi c1700-21.

36. Italy was never united as a country since ancient Rome. It is a relative new country. It was
under Vittorio Emanvele II that Italy was finally reunited to become one country again..
The tomb of Vittorio Emanele II.

37. The tomb of Vittorio Emanele II.
A tomb for the National Institute for the Guard of Honour who guarded Victor Emmanuel’s tomb
in their lifetime.

39. The entire interior is covered with marbles.

40. The ceiling of the portico

41. The portico

42. The side of the portico

45. Evolution of styles …

46. Pantheon at night
Built by the Ancient Roman, still functioning as an public building today..

47. The
End
Music - Albinoni’s oboe concerto in C Major, op 9 no 57 -
1st movement. Allegro
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