Another of Rome's iconic structures, the Pantheon was originally built during the reign of Augustus Caesar but was destroyed (a couple times, actually). The current building was built by Hadrian in the 2nd century. Pantheon means all gods. Since the 7th century it had been known as the church of Mary and martyrs.
The pantheon is most famous for its dome with the oculus or opening in the roof. Even now, 2,000 years after it was built, it remains the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. The engineer in me finds this mind blowing.
The building actually consists of the more typical portico shown in the 1st picture with the cylindrical temple behind. The temple structure is shown in the panorama.Les mer