The Pantheon is the best-preserved building from ancient Rome and was completed in c. 125 CE in the reign of Hadrian. Its magnificent dome is a lasting testimony to the genius of Roman architects and as the building stands virtually intact it offers a unique opportunity for the modern visitor to step back 2,000 years and experience the glory that was Rome.
The Pantheon was built on the exact site of two earlier Pantheon buildings, one commissioned by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (27-25 BCE) and the second by Domitian. The first was destroyed by fire in 80 CE and the second was struck by lightning in 110 CE and again burned down. The third Pantheon was probably begun in the reign of Trajan (98-117 CE) but not finally finished until around 125 CE when Hadrian was emperor, who often convened the Roman Senate there. It is this version which still stands today in central Rome.
Opening hours at the Pantheon, Rome
Monday-Saturday: 9am- 7.15pm
Sunday: 9am – 5.45pm
Public holidays: 9am – 12.45pm
The Pantheon is closed on some national holidays and if a mass is taking place.
There is no admission charge.
There is a wide variance in how long people will typically take to visit the Pantheon. The average tourist, probably no more than 20 minutes, some will literally be in and out in five minutes while at the other extreme others may spend an hour. If you are short on time as most visitors are to Rome, it's an ideal place to visit in the evening perhaps before finding a nice restaurant close by.
