Enjoy the view over a grappa from a bar in the surrounding Piazza della Rotonda.
For the entirety of its two millennia, the Pantheon has been used as a place of worship. It was first built as a temple to the Roman Gods around 126 AD, and became a church after the Empire converted to Christianity in the 7th century - its internal niches now contain fine Catholic artwork including frescoes and Byzantine icons, and a magnificent high altar was added in the 17th century. The building’s consecration protected it from the terrible damage suffered by much of Rome’s ancient architecture during the early medieval period.
To this day, the Pantheon hosts religious masses and weddings. It is also the resting place for many eminent Romans, including the artist Raphael and the first king of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II.
From an architectural perspective, the Pantheon remains one of the great wonders of the world. The sixteen vast granite Corinthian columns of its portico - which each weigh 60 tons - were quarried in Egypt, dragged 100km on wooden sledges to the Nile, floated by barge down the river, crossed the Mediterranean Sea in ships to Ostia, then were transferred back onto barges to travel up the Tiber to Rome - before being rolled another 700 metres to the Pantheon. Quite a journey!
Its rotunda is no less impressive, crowned by the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome, whose height is exactly equal to the rotunda’s diameter - a 43.3m sphere fits perfectly inside. It is only relatively recently that architects have come to understand how the dome can support itself, let alone withstand the many earthquakes over its long history.
The dome’s 4,535 ton construction is ingenious. It reduces in thickness from 6.4m at the base to just 1.2m at the crown, further lightened by internal coffering; its aggregate consists of heavy travertine at the base, then lighter terracotta tiles, then even lighter porous tufa and pumice at the top. At the very apex, where the dome would be at its most vulnerable to collapse, there is no concrete at all: the oculus, a 9m circular aperture, lightens the load as well as allowing in a beam of sunlight. The polychrome marble floor features concealed bronze drainage holes to handle water ingress during storms.
Michelangelo himself was greatly moved by his first sight of the Pantheon, declaring it to be the work of angels; he was inspired to design the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, by which time the Pantheon was already almost 1,500 years old. It also inspired Brunelleschi’s stunning 15th century dome for Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence. The Pantheon remains today as stunning testament to the Roman Empire’s majesty, and one of the most influential and impressive buildings of all time.
Experience the magic of Rome with a fully guided walking tour of the most popular highlights of the Eternal City and discover the Colosseum, the historic centre and the Vatican Museums in a day with entrance tickets included.
On your private full-day walking tour, you will:
Discover the religious, historical, and cultural significance of Rome, once the Caput Mundi (head of the world) on this magical full-day privately guided tour.
Walk in the footsteps of slaves and emperors, gladiators and Vestal Virgins, cardinals and artists as your expert guide weaves together the stories that have made Rome the Eternal City.
Relish walking into the Colosseum and step out onto the stage – the most famous monument of the ancient world. Learn about a day in the life of an ancient Roman as you stroll through the Forum admiring the temples and basilicas still standing after two millennia.
Then plunge into the friendly hustle and bustle of ‘modern’ Rome as you walk around the historic centre, taking in such iconic sites as the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and the mighty Pantheon – the largest man-made cement dome with an oculus in the world. And it was built in the second century!
After a pit stop for lunch, hop in a taxi across town where your guide will lead you through the hallowed halls of the Vatican Museums to wonder and marvel at the masterpieces from antiquity and those extraordinary, god-like rivals of the High Renaissance: Michelangelo and Raphael.
On exiting the Sistine Chapel your tour will end on the iconic balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, after which you will have time to explore the Basilica at your own leisure.
PLEASE NOTE: The order of the itinerary may change based on ticket availability.
Enjoy a private walking tour in the Heart of Rome, where your private guide will introduce you to the city’s Ancient Roman history and baroque architecture while showing you the Eternal City's major landmarks.
On your private walking tour, you will:
Sure, you have heard the phrase ‘Rome was not built in a day, but to truly understand that, one must walk the city with an expert to show you the layers of ancient civilization and ruins piled into the now-modern city. Often called the “Eternal City”, Rome is undoubtedly one of the most historically and culturally rich cities in the world. In the heart of Rome, you’ll come across the Pantheon and the Piazza Navona – two landmarks that date back to the Roman Empire; in addition, you’ll have the opportunity to see amazing architecture like the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps from the Rococo (late-Baroque) period.
This three-hour walking tour is designed to give you the perfect overview of the city, as it includes some of the most beautiful attractions in the historic centre. This tour of the heart of Rome– more than any other, mixes the ancient with the late Baroque in a way that only Rome could. It is a great introduction to the magic in Rome.
Discover the best of Rome on this private family-friendly walking tour through its most famous piazzas, fountains, and landmarks. Visit Castel Sant'Angelo and see where ancient emperors kept their treasures and connect with ancient history!
On your family-friendly private tour you will:
Enjoy this engaging, family-friendly walking tour of all the highlights of Rome's stunning historic centre with an expert private guide - including a delicious and well-deserved gelato break!
Your kids will love exploring some of Rome’s best-known attractions such as Piazza Navona, chucking coins into the Trevi Fountain, and spotting the fake windows and the odd 'cup' that doesn't quite fit.
You'll pass by the amazing Pantheon - designed in the 2nd Century by Emperor Hadrian. How did the Ancient Romans build that heavy cement dome with a hole in it? How did it not collapse? Your guide will share historic facts and other fascinating secrets about the Pantheon, like why the church calls it St Mary of the Martyrs.
You'll see the amazing Fountain of the Four Rivers at Piazza Navona by the sculptor Bernini, and the magnificent church of Saint Agnes overlooking it, by his arch-rival Borromini.
Your guide will help you to guess which four major rivers are represented in the giant statues by Bernini - he left us lots of clues, and will also help you find the insult left on top of the church by Borromini!
You will learn how Rome was built - layer on layer, like a giant lasagna! You'll see how Piazza Navona was built over a horse racing stadium, and a marker showing just how high the river Tiber used to flood. See if you can reach it!
Your tour ends with tickets included for a self-guided visit to the amazing Castle of the Angel or the Castel Sant'Angelo. Originally the Mausoleum of Hadrian, it became a Papal fortress with a secret passageway that connects it directly to the Vatican!
This is also the site in which, legend claims, Archangel Michael appeared sheathing a flaming sword as a sign of the end of the plague of 590 AD. Climb up to the ramparts for an amazing view of the Eternal City - don't worry the giant bronze statue of Archangel Michael will protect you!
Discover the heart of Rome, as you cruise the most popular attractions and hidden backstreets that only small vehicles or pedestrians can access.
On this private golf cart tour, you will:
Often referred to as the “Eternal City”, Rome is undoubtedly one of the most historically and culturally vibrant cities in the world. Here, you will come across the Pantheon and the Piazza Navona – two landmarks that date back to the Roman Empire; in addition, you’ll have the opportunity to see the amazing architecture of the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps from the Rococo (late-Baroque) period.
This four-hour golf cart tour is designed to give you a perfect overview of the city: visit the key sites in the centre and be shown all the best hidden haunts and local hangouts that you might otherwise miss. A golf-cart tour allows you to access parts of the city that cars and tour buses cannot.
Stop off at attractions or for gelato whenever you feel like it, go for a wander through Rome’s winding cobbled streets and save your energy for the rest of the day by hopping back on your golf cart, which will be waiting, ready to whisk you away to your next destination.
A great way to experience the magic of Rome in a comfortable and flexible manner – and your experience will be unaffected by the weather!
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