Pantheon

The Pantheon was a temple dedicated to the gods of the seven planets. To see the Pantheon for the first time on entering the Piazza della Rostanda is simply astonishing. Though there are thousands of visitors visiting the place, there is a shocking silence all around. It screams the sound of silence, peace and calm.

It has enormous presence and reeks of age. Its inspiring looks combine a pillared front with a massive dome, which  until 1960, was considered the largest dome in the world . Commissioned by the emperor Hadrian in the second century, the dome’s base is about seven metres thick, gradually getting lighter and thinner as it reaches its apex. This effect was created with the use of volcanic tufa in the middle section and super-light pumice at the top, where it narrows to less than a metre. Light floods into the dome from a circular window at the top and is said to be a window to the heavens.