How to visit the Pantheon in Rome, the largest dome in the world

One of the must-see visits trust your tourist trip to Rome it must be Him Pantheon of Agrippa.

If you don't know it yet, I will tell you that it is an ancient great roman temple which, although it may surprise you, is preserved in perfect condition and where you can see the largest factory dome in the world.

Indeed, the most surprising thing about the great Roman temple of the Pantheon of Agrippa It is its spectacular dome of 43,4 meters in diameter.

Its leadership as the largest in the world was respected when the dome of the St. Peter's Basilica, in the Vatican, which is a little smaller.

Curiosities history of the Pantheon of Agrippa in Rome

Seeing the dome turns the Pantheon in one of the essential visits in Rome.

You should know that the original Pantheon of Agrippa, built in 25 BC, was rectangular in shape.

It was later destroyed and rebuilt at the time of the Emperor Hadrian, already with its characteristic circular plan and its imposing dome.

Even today you will be surprised to know how this imposing dome has been maintained over the centuries, especially when for a long time the reason why it did not collapse was not understood.

So it happened to Brunelleschi when he saw her for the first time, and he didn't understand what the key to her resistance was.

Features of the Pantheon of Agrippa and the largest dome in the world

The key to this resistance is found in the original construction technique used by Roman architects.

How the dome of the Pantheon in Rome was built

In this regard, key are the self-supporting ring system and thick walls of concrete and brick walls on which the dome rests.

Added to this is the special composition of the Roman concrete, and the reduction in the weight of the dome by using pumice and when designed with a gradual reduction in thickness as it gains height.

Thus, in its lower part the dome of the Pantheon of Agrippa It has a thickness of 5,6 meters, and at the top, 1,5 meters.

In addition, the galleries, windows and coffers also lighten it substantially.

What are the dimensions of the dome of the Pantheon in Rome?

It should be noted that due to its design, the interior of the rotunda of the Pantheon of Agrippa It is equivalent to a cylinder, since it has a height equal to the radius and the diameter is equal to its total height.

The specific objectives of the diameter of the dome of the Pantheon is 43,44 meters, which makes it, as we have already mentioned, the largest dome in the world built with concrete.

When you go to see the dome of the Pantheon of Agrippa in RomeYou will also be surprised by the large circular opening that is in the center of it, through which a large beam of light enters and, where appropriate, even the rain.

This light propitious in the pantheon a very photographic scene.

In short, an almost incredible place that demonstrates the impressive constructive capacity that the Romans had more than two thousand years ago, and of which in Spain we also have important examples, such as the Aqueduct of Segovia.