Before You Enter: The Pronaos

Even before stepping into the rotunda, the pronaos deserves attention. It is the columned portico that precedes the main entrance.

The pronaos columns: eight monolithic columns of Egyptian granite form the façade. They stand 12.5 metres tall with a base diameter of 1.48 metres. The granite is of two types: grey (Aswan) and pink (Aswan). These columns were transported from Egypt to the port of Ostia and hauled up the Tiber — a titanic logistical feat in antiquity.

The inscription: on the architrave of the pronaos, the famous inscription reads M·AGRIPPA·L·F·COS·TERTIUM·FECIT ("Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, consul for the third time, built this"). The inscription is that of Agrippa's original Pantheon (27–25 BC), preserved by Hadrian in the 2nd-century reconstruction as a tribute to his predecessor.

The bronze doors: the entrance doors are Rome's original bronze doors — an exceptional case of preservation. They are 7 metres high and 4 metres wide. They were restored in later periods but have been in their original position since the 2nd century.

The Interior: General Orientation

On entering the rotunda, you find yourself in a circular space with a diameter of 43.3 metres and a height to the vault of the same measurement. The structure consists of:

  • The cylindrical wall (drum), with eight large niches alternating with aedicules
  • The floor, with its geometry of circles and squares
  • The transition zone between wall and dome (attic zone)
  • The dome, with its 140 coffers (28 per row × 5 rows)
  • The oculus, open to the sky

The Floor

The floor of the Pantheon is one of the most overlooked and one of the most beautiful elements. Its composition dates mainly to the Hadrianic period with later additions.

The geometric pattern alternates circles and squares in polychrome marble:

  • Giallo antico (from Tunisia): ranging from ochre yellow to orange-red
  • Pavonazzetto (from Turkey): white veined with purple
  • Red porphyry (from Egypt): deep red, an imperial material
  • Grey granite (from Egypt)

The circles correspond to the niches and doors above; the squares occupy the spaces between. The whole composition mirrors from below the geometry of the dome above. The floor is very slightly convex at the centre: it drops by about 30 cm towards the walls to facilitate the drainage of rainwater, which enters through the oculus.

The Niches and Aedicules

The rotunda wall is organised in eight sectors. Each sector alternates a large niche with two flanking aedicules separated by columns.

The niches today house altars and chapels:

  • Central niche at the rear (facing the entrance): the high altar, with a 17th-century Madonna and Child
  • First niche on the left (entering): Chapel of St Anne, with a 16th-century fresco
  • Second niche on the left: Chapel of the Annunciation
  • Third niche on the left: Raphael's Tomb (the most important for visitors)
  • Chapel to the right of the high altar: tombs of Umberto I and Queen Margherita
  • Chapel to the left of the high altar: tomb of Victor Emmanuel II

Raphael's Tomb

The third niche on the left, counting from the entrance, contains the Pantheon's most important tomb: that of Raphael Sanzio (1483–1520).

Elements to observe:

  1. The ancient marble sarcophagus, dated to the 2nd–3rd century AD (it was not originally Raphael's; it was chosen after his death)
  2. Pietro Bembo's inscription on the arch: «ILLE HIC EST RAPHAEL...» (see article #64)
  3. The statue of the Madonna del Sasso by Lorenzetto (1524), on the altar to the left of the niche
  4. The plaque with the dates (1483–1520) placed below the niche

The tomb is on the left wall: third niche proceeding left from the entrance.

The Royal Tombs

The tombs of Italy's kings are in the two chapels flanking the high altar, in the wall opposite the entrance.

Left chapel (as you move towards the rear wall): Victor Emmanuel II (died 1878). Red porphyry sarcophagus. Inscription and royal crown in gilded bronze.

Right chapel (as you move towards the rear wall): Umberto I (assassinated 1900) and Queen Margherita (died 1926). The two sarcophagi stand side by side. Umberto I's sarcophagus is also red porphyry; Margherita's is in white marble.

The Dome and the Oculus

Looking upward, the dome dominates the visual experience.

The coffers: 140 recessed panels (28 in each of 5 rows) diminish progressively toward the oculus, creating an optical effect of depth. They were probably originally gilded or painted; any medieval and Renaissance decoration has been lost. Today they appear in grey masonry.

The oculus: the open circle of 8.9 metres in diameter at the vault's apex. It has never been glazed. Because of the angle of the sun, the circle of light moves across the floor and walls throughout the day. On rainy days, a small pool of water forms below the oculus: the floor has a drainage system with 22 almost invisible holes.

On 21 April (traditional date of Rome's founding): at solar noon the beam of light aligns precisely with the Pantheon's entrance, illuminating the pronaos.

The Attic Zone

Between the rotunda wall and the base of the dome lies an intermediate band called the attic. This zone is visually interesting but often overlooked.

The attic presents marble panels alternating with painted false windows. These false windows are the result of an 18th-century restoration that changed the original appearance; art historians still debate what this zone looked like in Hadrian's day.

Tips for the Visit

Where to stand for the best light: at the centre of the rotunda, looking upward, during the middle of the day.

What to photograph:

  • The floor detail (circles and squares of polychrome marble)
  • The oculus from below
  • The original bronze doors seen from inside
  • The inscription on Raphael's tomb
  • The sarcophagi of the royal tombs

Recommended order of visit:

  1. Pause at the pronaos (columns, inscription, doors)
  2. Enter and observe the overall geometry of the space
  3. Walk the left wall: chapels, Raphael's tomb
  4. Continue to the rear wall: high altar, royal tombs
  5. Stand at the centre to look up at the dome and oculus
  6. Observe the floor in its complete geometric pattern

Visit the Pantheon with a Private Driver

The Pantheon is fully within the limited traffic zone in Rome's historic centre. Private car access to Piazza della Rotonda is not possible.

Visit the Pantheon with a private driver: direct, comfortable arrival with no traffic or parking concerns. Service from €49. → Book your driver at myromedriver.com

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to see everything? A complete, attentive visit takes 30–45 minutes. For those who only want to see the main highlights (oculus, Raphael, dome) 20 minutes are enough.

Where is Raphael's tomb? On the left wall of the rotunda, in the third niche counting from the entrance.

Are guided tours available inside? Yes. Accredited tour guides may accompany groups inside. There are also organised tours departing from outside that include a guide inside.

Can I get close to the royal tombs? The tombs are visible through the chapel barriers. Entry into the chapels themselves is not permitted.

Can I attend Mass? Yes. Sunday Mass is held at 17:00. It is open to all Catholic faithful and admission is free during the service.

Article no. 67 — TIER S — MON-04 Pantheon Type: PRACTICAL Words: ~1,600

See also