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Pantheon
Pantheon · Santa Maria ad Martyres · Rome (Piazza della Rotonda), Italy
A concrete dome almost two thousand years old, still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, with sunlight pouring in through the oculus.
Know before you go
- Don't speak loudly inside
- don't sit eating on the portico's column bases and steps
- don't touch the tombs or altars
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Stories & people
Stories & people
History
A temple bearing someone else's name
The inscription on the Pantheon's frieze bears Agrippa's name, but today's building was rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian. After the temple built by Agrippa in the age of Augustus burned down, Hadrian oversaw its reconstruction, completed around 126; he chose to have Agrippa's original inscription recut on the new temple, which has also made it hard for later generations to date. In 609 it became a church, and it is precisely because it has been in continuous use that it is so well preserved.
Source: Wikipedia: Pantheon; Wikipedia: Hadrian
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The Pantheon was first a temple built under Agrippa in the age of Augustus; after the original burned, Emperor Hadrian rebuilt it, completing it around AD 126. Hadrian had Agrippa's original inscription recut on the new temple's frieze, which is why it bears Agrippa's name. The dome's inner diameter equals its height from floor to oculus — 43 m. Since 609 it has been a Catholic church, Santa Maria ad Martyres, and because it has been in constant use it is one of the best-preserved Roman buildings.
Local customs
- It is still a church, so keep quiet inside
- two kings of united Italy and the painter Raphael are buried here
Religion & beliefs
A Catholic church (Santa Maria ad Martyres) since 609.
Etiquette
Etiquette & taboos
Rules that apply here
Italy: don't drive into historic-centre limited traffic zones (ZTL)
- Park outside restricted zones and walk into town
- Driving into a ZTL zone without a permit
You will be fined.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Italy travel advice
Italy: validate your ticket before boarding
- Validate your ticket in the machine before using public transport
- Travelling with an unvalidated ticket
Inspectors will fine you on the spot.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Italy travel advice
Italy: don't buy from unlicensed street vendors
- Shop at proper stores
- Buying from unlicensed street vendors
It is illegal, and local police may stop and fine you.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Italy travel advice
Italy: rules around monuments and fountains
- Keep the area around monuments clean and quiet
- Going into or splashing in public fountains (Florence, Rome and elsewhere)
- Swimming in Venice's canals
- Eating and drinking next to major churches, monuments and public buildings
- Sitting on monument steps, littering, or scratching or writing on monuments
All are local offences; urinating in public can bring a fine of up to €10,000.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Italy travel advice
Rome's Spanish Steps: no sitting, eating or drinking
- Walk up the steps and keep moving after your photo
- Sitting, resting, eating or drinking on the steps
Banned by Rome's urban police regulations since 2019; media report fines of €250, rising to €400 for dirtying or damaging the steps.
Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: ANSA: Rome bans sitting on the Spanish Steps (2019)
Don’t DON'T
- Don't speak loudly inside
- don't sit eating on the portico's column bases and steps
- don't touch the tombs or altars
Locals appreciate DO
Romans appreciate visitors who look up quietly at the dome rather than staging long photo shoots in the middle of the hall.
Plan your visit
Practical info
| Best time | Midday on a sunny day |
|---|---|
| Time needed | 45 minutes |
Travel tips
- Tickets are required and can be booked online
- it's in the heart of the old city, an easy walk to Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain
- the beam of light is clearest at midday on a sunny day
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