The Dance of Light: How the Pantheon Captures the Sun’s Divine Energy

Terri Tomoff
5 days ago
4 min read

Access to the Pantheon had historically been free for centuries, even millennia. Thirty years ago, I walked in and out of this site at will. Disappointedly, it only began charging an entrance fee relatively recently, in the summer of 2023. The current entrance fee is €5 for adults. It’s worth it, but so many sites in Italy are charging now that billions of people have enjoyed for thousands of years. I’m sure there is no going back to “free.”

Anyhoo, the building is magnificent. The outside patina has shown its age, but the inside is spectacular! It really is one of the best-preserved ancient monuments in the city and a remarkable feat of engineering and architecture. You can tell that by taking the first step into this ancient wonder.

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With a little help from the internet, here are some cool facts: Oh, I took photos of the signs/placards that inform us on this icon, but there was way too much info for this blog.

1—Date of Construction: The Pantheon was originally built by Marcus Agrippa around 27-25 BCE during the reign of Emperor Augustus, but the current structure was completed by Emperor Hadrian around 126 CE after the original building was destroyed by fire.

2—Name Meaning: The name “Pantheon” comes from the Greek words pan (“all”) and theos (“god”), which translates to “All Gods” or “Temple of All the Gods.”

3—Architectural Marvel: The Pantheon’s most famous feature is its massive domed roof, which remains the largest unsupported concrete dome in the world. The dome’s diameter (43.3 meters or 142 feet) is exactly the same as its height from the floor to the oculus (the open circular skylight at the top). NOTE: It rained a bit while we were inside, and we marveled at how the water dripped onto the floor, but it didn’t seep into the rest of the marble flooring because of the slant built in with drainage tiles and all!

4—Oculus: The Oculus at the center of the dome allows natural light to illuminate the interior and serves as a symbolic connection between the temple and the gods. It is 8.7 meters (28.5 feet) wide. The light moves as the sun moves.

5—Use Throughout History: Originally built as a temple to the Roman gods, the Pantheon has been used as a church since 609 AD. It is now known as the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs (Santa Maria ad Martyres), a function that helped preserve the building throughout history.

6—The Tombs of Famous Italians: Several notable figures are buried within the Pantheon, including the artist Raphael, King Victor Emmanuel II, and King Umberto I of Italy.

7—The Portico: The Pantheon features a large portico with 16 massive Corinthian columns made of Egyptian granite, each 15 meters (49 feet) tall. The entrance is a large bronze door, which is still in place.

8—Influence on Architecture: The Pantheon has been a model for countless historical buildings, including the U.S. Capitol building and the Pantheon in Paris. Its design has greatly influenced Western architecture.

9—Unchanged Design: The Pantheon’s basic design has remained unchanged since it was completed in the 2nd century CE. It is a stunning example of Roman architectural and engineering ingenuity.

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All of that is great info, but it was the light inside this iconic relic that soothed my soul. It’s not that large of a building, yet we all were mesmerized by the light, and taking photos of our gang, that we couldn’t just leave after a few minutes. We were ensconced or entranced in this beauty for at least an hour and a half. And here is the reason why it's so freaking amazing: the Pantheon’s central feature—the oculus—is the primary source of natural light. It serves both a functional and symbolic purpose. Architecturally, it allows for a dramatic, constant flow of light into the vast interior, which creates shifting shadows and patterns as the day progresses, and the light also enhances the sense of space and grandeur, emphasizing the dome's enormous size and the building’s engineering marvel. I couldn't get enough!

After all the tours and ancient buildings seen in Rome and Florence, the light scattered (scattering) throughout the Pantheon can not be beat! The play of light also highlights the beauty of the Pantheon’s art and architecture, from the intricate marble floors as shown in my photos, to the elegant sculptures and columns throughout the interior. The changing natural light reveals different facets of the interior throughout the day (that's maybe why we stayed so long to see the magic), making it a living, breathing space that feels alive with energy and my heart and soul.

The photos exemplify what we encountered inside - the dancing light and energy (no photo can do this place justice, but I do hope you notice that special light).

Photos: 1) outside the Pantheon, 2) Oculus, 3) Bill, Ryan, and me; 4) Linda Misencik; 5) Bill with his Stoic books; 6) Don, Beth, and Alex Tomoff