Pantheon the best preserve monument from ancient Rome

Did you know that: (5 Interesting facts!)

• The dome is bigger than that of St. Peter’s Basilica.
• Michelangelo once said that he felt the Pantheon was the work of angels, not men. High praise from one of the most famous artists who ever lived!
• The name comes from two Greek words: pan, “everything” and theon, “divine”.
• The inscription “M.AGRIPPA.L.F.COS.TERTIVM.FECIT” on the facade is in Latin, and means: “Marcus Agrippa, the son of Lucius, three times consul, built this.”
• According to legend, it was built on the site where Romulus, the founder of Rome, ascended into the sky to join the gods.
  

Several important artists were buried there during the Renaissance, among them Raphael and Annibale Carracci.

 
In the 17th century, Pope Urban VIII ordered that the bronze ceiling of the portico be melted down, to be used to make bombards for the fortification of Castel Sant’Angelo.

 
After the reunification of Italy, two ‘modern’ kings chose to be buried there. 

 
Today, apart from being a tourist attraction, the Pantheon is still in use as a Catholic church. Masses are celebrated there, as well as holy days, and even the occasional wedding.

With love, 

Ivana