Our itinerary for our upcoming trip to Rome is getting quite full, mainly because so much needs to be booked in advance these days. One thing we have yet to book is the Pantheon, and I'm wondering where we can fit it in.
Is this a must see, in your opinion? We have seen the pantheon in Lisbon, but I do understand that Rome's pantheon is THE pantheon--more grand and impressive than the others.
Definitely go see the Pantheon in Rome, the others are just later imitations, the one in Rome is the original one built back in the time of ancient Rome 2000 years ago. It's the best preserved ancient Roman building in the world.
Like saying you've seen Venice as you have been to the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas lol!
I ditto Carlos! We visit the Pantheon at every visit. Definitely a MUST SEE! Some of my prized photos were taken there years ago. Enjoy!
https://smarthistory.org/the-pantheon/
pantheon in Lisbon
If you mean the Church of Santa Engrácia, since it was inaugurated around 1712 Santa Engrácia is 1,584 years younger than the Pantheon.
It's not a matter of being more or less impressive than the other buildings with the same name. The French version is more grand. Still, I doubt there is another building in Europe inaugurated in 128 AD where one can enter and walk around as if it was the Post Office down the road built in the late 60s.
I think it is a must see, you don't have to spend a great deal of time there to enjoy it. I think it might only cost money or require a reservation on weekends, not entirely clear on their website.
I'm looking forward to going back in a few weeks.
There's the Pantheon and then there's everything else. Learn all its history before you go and don't stop reading until you can answer the trivia question on the connection between Sophia Loren and the Pantheon.
Agree it’s extremely worth seeing, and it should not be too difficult to fit in - it is centrally located, and it only takes about 15-20 min to see it once inside (though you could of course choose to spend more time contemplating this architectural marvel). Make a booking to eat at Armando al Pantheon before or after, if you can.
Just FYI, it's still free to visit the Pantheon. On weekends and public holidays, there's a mandatory free booking, but it's still free to visit. Be aware that they check Green Pass/CDC card for everyone going in, and the lines for that check can get long. Also, they have capacity limits inside, so you can only get in when someone else leaves.
I've been watching on this webcam to get a feel for when the lines are long/short, and seems like the crowds taper off after 3ish on weekdays:
https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/italia/lazio/roma/pantheon.html
We're going to be in Rome at the end of November/beginning of December, and I'm planning to do the Pantheon & nearby churches one afternoon/evening. Santa Maria Sopra Minerva is high on my list, and it's currently only open from 5-6:45, with mass starting at 6. That can change, of course, but it seems like we could go to San Luigi Francesi, then Sant'Ignazio, then Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, and keep an eye on the line at the Pantheon, and just jump in when it goes down a bit.
No question, the Pantheon is a gotta-do! It's nothing at all like the version in Lisbon or Paris due to its immense age and amazing feat of engineering for that era. Michelangelo and Brunelleschi both studied the dome's construction intently when designing the domes of St. Peter's and the Duomo of Florence, respectively. Its official website is here, and do note the current mandate for reservations if intending to visit on the weekend.
https://www.pantheonroma.com/home/
https://pantheon.cultura.gov.it/en/#. (for weekend reservations; I don't believe there is a cost for this although I can't check without registering. I've not read of a reservation price, however. There is a fee for tours (see the website).
The website states the visitation is free Mon. through Fri. - no tickets needed - although there may be a queue.
https://www.pantheonroma.com/2020/07/15/covid-19-general-info/
DON'T MISS THE PANTHEON. It is over 1,800 years old and in beautiful condition.
The link Janis shared is excellent to get a feel of being inside it.
We saw it quickly when we were on the RS Best of Italy tour, but actually my favorite time was when my husband and I were in Rome for 5 days a few years later. Our hotel was near it, and we went inside it again. But our favorite was to go in the evening in the piazza and have the Pantheon as the backdrop. Its age is even more dramatic at night with the shadows over the building.
So, if you’re not able to go inside during the day, try to go see it outside at night as you’re strolling the major sites.
Speaking as an art historian, the Pantheon is a breathtaking work of engineering and must be experienced.
Yeah, it's not just "more grand and impressive than the others". It's the real ancient historical deal. Lisbon and Paris have impressive buildings called Pantheons, built in the 1700s. Not the same thing as Rome's, from the Roman Empire. From what I understand, because Rome's Pantheon was converted to a Christian Church in the 600s, it was spared a lot of the looting and damage from being abandoned that a lot of other ancient buildings suffered. So it's been very well kept for almost 2000 years, giving us a great view of what ancient buildings may have looked like when not in ruins. Seriously, along with the Colosseum and Forum, it's in my top 3 things in Rome.
It seems it's unanimous, then. We will try to go our first afternoon in Rome, as we have some time then, and it's a weekday. Thanks.
Carlos, BTW, I am very well-travelled and well-educated. I hardly think visiting the Venetian in Las Vegas is similar to visiting Venice. I've stayed at the Venetian in Las Vegas and have been lost in the much, much larger Venetian in Macau, but I am still spending 3 1/2 days in Venice next month. But I'd hardly compare the pantheon in Lisbon to the Venetian in Las Vegas. LOL
I'm not accustomed to having our plans so set in stone in advance, and that's what was giving me pause. We do like to have some free time to wander around, and I was worried about filling up our time too much.
Is this a must see, in your opinion?
Absolutely! No ifs, ands, nor buts. We visit every time we visit Rome and always leave in awe.
To paraphrase American Express:
"Don't leave Rome without it"
I believe it's physically impossible to see all the "must sees" in Rome! But, since you'll be in the neighborhood, I highly recommend the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva.
Alice's advice is spot-on. No cost to enter the pantheon, and no reserving ahead, except on weekends. The biggest issue right now is that your green pass must be checked, and this means long lines, even when other sights seem at about half busy. At one time, you could just stroll by, wander in, and spend 10 minutes, now you might have to devote an hour or more, mostly standing in line.
The later in the day advice is sound, I had the impression that much of the crowds were cruise ship groups and tour groups (they like to put the Pantheon on the itinerary as much for the free entry as the history); so later in the day, the groups have moved on.
Keep in mind that if you wander around the city at all, (and of course you will!), you'll find yourself at the Pantheon sooner or later. So, you'll see it without even trying, at least on the outside. And once you see the outside, how can you resist wanting to go in??
It's an active church, BTW. A few years ago we attended Sunday Mass there. It was all in Italian, of course, but that gave us plenty of time to gaze around and contemplate the whole thing. (And then somehow a pigeon got in, and flew in circles under the dome for a while...)
There were maybe only 30 people in attendance. No sightseeing was allowed during mass. It was a cool experience.
It's also interesting to be inside it when it's raining or snowing, as the oculus is open to the skies, and then the water just drains off into the drains in the floor.
I also love the church Santa Maria Sopra Minerva
"Don't leave Rome without it." Good one, Brad!
Thanks for the tip re: Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Estimated Prophet. Will try to go if we can manage it. Minerva was my favourite goddess when I was a kid, so I think I should. ;)
I'm with the crowd here -- not to be missed. And so close to other places you'll surely want to see, like the Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Capitoline Museum, etc. that it should be easy to work into a plan. When I was there a few years ago there was no wait to get in, but Covid has apparently changed that. The advice to go on a weekday afternoon makes sense to me.
One of the times I visited, a church service was about to start, and they whisked us sightseers out and wouldn't let others in unless they were attending the service. That could interfere with your timetable, or it could mean an opportunity to spend more time appreciating the building while experiencing the service. Anyway, I appreciated another poster's observation that the Pantheon's status as a church protected it from the deterioration and reuse that other ancient Roman buildings experienced.
This timing with the rose petals falling would be spectacular!
Wow, that's gorgeous. We'll be there in November, so no rose petals for us, but wow!
The Roman Pantheon is a definite MUST SEE. Impressive not only in size and age but in the incredible ingenuity used in its construction. After seeing this Pantheon you will know where all of the other domes in the world got their design. This includes the US Capitol building as well as many state capitols. I never tire of seeing it - even multiple times in one trip.
As long as you are there, visit the nearby Della Parma gelateria for a bewildering variety of good gelato flavors. It is almost as noteworthy as the Pantheon! (Via della Maddalena 19 - 23)
Our hotel wasn't far so during our time there we went twice. The first time was during the day and it was crowded. The second time was later in the evening and hardly anybody was there. It made for a more intimate experience and different light. In a very nearby church, we went to an evening opera medley performance that was inexpensive and fun.
Mmm, gelato!
I'll see if the Pantheon open in the evening while we're there.
Thanks for the tips!
I went early one morning and walked right in.
I'll join the party and say it is well worth a visit.
I'll also say that a rewarding little while can be pleasantly spent by going behind the elephant next door and into and then under Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. I love Santa Maria Sopra Minerva but I really love under it in the much older church under. You really step back in time by going down a few stairs.
Its all about perspective, its the original, it inspired a host of other significant architectural landmarks and its accessible.
The Pantheon in Rome is in a neighborhood surrounded by numerous restaurants and cafes, make a reservation at one of them and make it a point to stop off and wander through. I've visited it more at night than during the day, usually because I'm passing through or going to a place that is adjacent to it.
The Pantheon is certainly a must see for me. The architecture alone makes it one of the more relevant building in Rome. Being the inspiration for Brunelleschi's dome in Florence (and Michelangelo's dome of St. Peter's) alone makes this a site worth seeing. I have visited the Pantheon on four separate occasions and I have never needed a reservation. At some point between 2010 and 2020 they did put in additional security measures and we weren't allowed to bring in large bags on our more recent visits. My wife and I simply took turns as the other held the bags. There are also several nice restaurants in and around Piazza della Rotunda which are worth trying out. One of the best coffee shops in Rome, Tazza d'Oro, is right up the street. And if you want to see an excellent Michelangelo sculpture free of charge you can pop into the Basilica di Santa Maria Sopra Minerva which is located behind the Pantheon a few feet to the southeast. There are so many things about Rome that draw be back again and again and this is one of them. It's really easy and can be incorporated into an easy stroll between Piazza Navona and the Via Del Corso area, which is alos one of my favorite areas to wander around in. One last suggestion...it has been my experience that making a jam packed itinerary often leads to more anxiety and stress and takes away from the joy of these incredible sites. Over the years I have learned to pencil in blocks of each day to simply roam the streets and be spontaneous. These free times have ended up being some of the more rewarding and enjoyable. I wish you safe travels and, no matter how you choose to see Rome, I know you will enjoy it and that you will likely fall victim to it's spell!
Definitely going to fit it in, based on all the feedback here.
I appreciate all the other tips, too.
Not so sure about restaurants at this point. Given that I've heard people in Italy aren't always good about wearing masks properly on transit and such, I'm not comfortable removing my mask to eat in close proximity to them. If there's a patio, or if the place isn't crowded, I'll consider it.
