Rome, Italy is a city full of history and culture, everywhere you turn around there is beauty and architecture to be seen. One of these epic structures is the Pantheon. The Pantheon, which translates as “all gods” was an ancient temple built to honor all the gods. It still stands in Rome today and is a top site to see when visiting Rome. To view the magnificent Pantheon, you should apply for a new United States passport and plan your journey to the ancient city.

Passports

Passports are documents that allow one to travel internationally. Anyone attempting international travel must have a passport in order to do so. Obtaining a passport used to be difficult, today with new technology and services it is a cinch. Before applying for it make sure you have all necessary documents including a travel visa if needed. This will ensure a smooth US child passports application process and allow for a timely delivery.

History

The pantheon was built in 27 B.C.E to 25 B.C.E, to celebrate the victory of Actium over Antony and Cleopatra by Marcus Agrippa. The original structure burned down in 80 C.E. and was then reconstructed in 125 C.E. by the emperor Hadrian. It was a fully functional temple.

Structure

The architecture of the Pantheon was very unique at the time of its construction. It was built as a rotund building with the only light entering from an opening at the center of the building. This opening was known as the oculus. When the Pantheon was used as a temple it housed the statues of various deities and the altar also featured animal sacrifices. The smoke from the burned animals ascended through the oculus and directly to the gods.

Christianity

When Christianity took over Rome the Pantheon was abandoned. At the time it was illegal for any public worship of the pagan deities. However, later there was an order that decreed all buildings used. It eventually became a Christian Church. It was consecrated in the name of the Virgin Mary as the Church of Santa Maria Ad Martyers. It was dedicated to the saints and martyrs as well. This kept the theme of “pan” going.

Michelangelo

The Pantheon went through many changes from function to the actual building itself. It was looted many times and stripped of its goods, including Bronze. In the early 16th century Michelangelo studied the Pantheon for inspiration. The Pantheon’s inspiration lead to the dome of St. Peter at the Vatican which is only two feet smaller than that of the Pantheon.

Inspiration

The Pantheon is one of the most frequented sites in Rome and has been featured in many documentaries and books. In 1980 it was declared a World Heritage site. The structure of the Pantheon has been the inspiration for a lot of modern buildings. Building such as; the British Museum Reading Room, The Tomas Jefferson Rotunda at the University of Virginia, the Low Library at Columbia University and the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia.