How to visit the Pantheon? Here are the new access rules

How to visit the Pantheon? The Pantheon is one of Rome‘s most iconic monuments and one of the city’s most visited tourist attractions. Located in the historic centre, in the Pigna district, the Pantheon is an ancient Roman temple dedicated to all the gods (hence its name, which means “temple of all gods”).

Pantheon we see today is actually a reconstruction of the original, built in the 1st century BC. by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, son-in-law of Augustus. The original building suffered several damages over the centuries, but was completely restored and rebuilt under the emperor Hadrian around 126 AD.

This architecture of the Pantheon is remarkable and innovative for its time. The main structure is a large hemispherical dome supported by a circular drum, with a central opening, called the oculus, which allows natural light and rain to enter. The dome was for a long time the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world and remains the largest masonry dome ever built to this day.

Interior of the Pantheon is just as impressive. All the walls are decorated with precious marbles and the spaces are divided into niches which house statues of Roman divinities. In the center of the room is the main altar, although today the Pantheon mainly serves as a Catholic church.

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Pantheon is its survival through the ages. Despite barbarian invasions, earthquakes and other disasters, the Pantheon has remained largely intact. This is partly due to the fact that in 609 AD. Pope Boniface IV converted it into a Christian church, dedicating it to Santa Maria ad Martyres. This act of conversion helped preserve the building from abandonment and destruction.

Today, the Pantheon is still an active place of worship, but it’s also one of Rome’s top tourist attractions. Visitors can admire the majestic architecture, walk inside the temple and observe the oculus above them which creates an evocative effect of light and shadow. Access to the Pantheon is free, and its imposing size and significant history make it a place of great interest to visitors to Rome.

Here are the new rules for visiting the Pantheon

From Monday 3 July 2023 access to the Pantheon is subject to a fee. The entrance ticket can be purchased online on the MUSEITALIANI platform (www.museiitaliani.it) or directly at the cash desks inside the monument, in cash or electronic money.

Opening time

The Pantheon is open every day from 9.00 to 19.00, with last entry at 18.30 and ticket offices closing on site at 18.00. Times may vary on the occasion of religious celebrations.