Rome / Attractions guide / The Pantheon
Ancient Rome
The Pantheon
The best-preserved building of ancient Rome, kept intact by never having stopped being used.
- Price
- €7 full price · €2 EU citizens 18–25 · free under 18
- Hours
- Mon–Sat 9am–7pm · Sun 9am–6pm
- Avg. visit
- 30–45 minutes
- Book ahead
- Recommended, timed ticket
The Pantheon standing today was rebuilt under the emperor Hadrian around AD 126 on the site of an earlier temple, and has been in continuous use ever since — first as a Roman temple to all the gods, and since the 7th century as a Christian church. That unbroken use is precisely why it survived so intact while most of ancient Rome was quarried away.
The coffered concrete dome is still the largest unreinforced concrete dome on earth, and its interior geometry is exact: the diameter equals the height from the floor to the oculus, so a perfect sphere would fit inside the drum. The oculus itself — a 9-metre opening at the dome's centre — is open straight to the sky; rain falls through it and drains away through small holes cut into the ancient floor. The painter Raphael is buried here, per his own request.
Inside
What to see
- The coffered dome and its central oculus, open to the sky
- Raphael's tomb, marked with a simple inscription
- The original massive bronze entrance doors, among the oldest working doors in the world
- The building's exterior portico, still carrying its ancient dedicatory inscription
Practical
Good to know
- It remains an active church and closes to visitors for services without much notice.
- Admission is now ticketed rather than free.
- Rain genuinely falls through the oculus onto the floor — the marble underneath slopes very slightly to a drain.
Timing
When it's busiest
- At opening
- Quiet
- Mid-morning
- Busy
- Afternoon
- Busy
- Early evening
- Moderate
Nearby
Combine your visit
10-minute walk
Trevi Fountain
The closest major sight to the Pantheon — an easy pairing on the same short walk.
Visit →
25-minute walk or short bus ride
Galleria Borghese
A longer walk uphill, better paired if you already have a timed slot booked for later in the day.
Visit →
25-minute walk
The Colosseum
Head southeast through the old centre and past Largo di Torre Argentina.
Visit →
FAQ
Common questions
Is the Pantheon still free to enter?
No — it became ticketed in mid-2023, with the standard price having risen since. Rome residents, under-18s and a few other categories still enter free.
Can I attend Mass here?
Yes, it's an active parish church — Mass is held on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings and holidays, and sightseeing pauses during the service.
Is there a dress code?
Yes, as at any Roman church — shoulders and knees covered. It's enforced less rigidly than at St Peter's, but it's safest to dress accordingly.
What actually happens when it rains?
Rain falls straight through the open oculus onto the floor below, which slopes almost imperceptibly toward hidden drains built for exactly this. It's one of the more memorable things to witness if your visit coincides with a shower.