| Pantheon |
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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
faade 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. Copyright by Wikipedia |
