What’s Guarded By The Doors of Pantheon? | Rome’s Colossal Doors That Weigh Over 8 Tons!
The Pantheon in Rome is a splendid building that acts as a living testimony to the architectural brilliance of Rome. Among its most prominent features are the Pantheon doors, a masterpiece of ancient engineering. Built between 118 and 126 AD during Emperor Hadrian’s reign, these doors have withstood the test of time. The doors, composed of two bronze wings weighing 8.5 tons each, are among the oldest functioning doors in the world.
Despite their massive weight, these doors are exceptionally well-balanced. A single person can easily open and close them. Standing 7.6 meters high and 2.3 meters wide, the Pantheon doors impress with their size and durability. But what do these doors hide behind them? The Pantheon (temple of all the gods), a former Roman temple and now a catholic church stands behind the doors. The Pantheon carries the tombs of two Italian kings and a queen: Vittorio Emanuele II, Umberto I, and Margherita of Savoy, and the world-renowned artist Raphael. But more things add to the mystery and intrigue of the Pantheon. Let’s find out.
History of the Pantheon
Romans built the Pantheon during a period of significant architectural and engineering advancements in ancient Rome. Roman general and architect Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa originally commissioned the building during the reign of his friend August Caesar. It is originally was a temple for Roman gods hence the name Pantheon. However, a fire destroyed this original pantheon. Then, Emperor Hadrian, known for his contributions to architecture, commissioned the Pantheon that we see today, including these monumental doors. This era focused on the stately manner and precision in design, which is evident in the craftsmanship of the Pantheon doors.
After the heyday of the Roman Empire, later christened Romans rebuilt it as a catholic church dedicated to St. Mary and the Martyrs (Latin: Sancta Maria ad Martyres), known as “Santa Maria Rotonda”This was around the 7th century CE. Today Italy’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism manages the pantheon. However. today this is an Italian government property.
What do we find behind the Pantheon’s doors?
The doors’ historical and architectural significance goes beyond their physical attributes. They link to ancient Rome’s grandeur, representing architectural innovations of the era. The Pantheon doors’ continued operation and preservation offer a tangible connection to the past. They allow visitors to experience a piece of history firsthand, enhancing the building’s impact.
The building is round in plan, except for the portico with large granite Corinthian columns (eight in the first rank and two groups of four behind) under a pediment. A rectangular vestibule links the porch to the rotunda, which is under a coffered concrete dome, with a central opening (oculus) to the sky. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon’s dome is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. The height of the oculus and the diameter of the interior circle are the same, 43 meters.
People often ask, why doesn’t it rain inside the Pantheon? Well, the Pantheon’s iconic oculus, the large hole in the center of its dome, let rain enter the dome. However, the floor of the Pantheon is shaped concave and there are also drains at its center. They collect any rainwater that enters through and channel it away.
Who Is Buried Within the Pantheon?
The Pantheon’s historical significance extends beyond its architecture to its role as a mausoleum. Among those interred are some of Rome’s most distinguished personalities. Let’s look at some of the great personalities entombed here.
Raphael
Italian painter and architect well known for his magnificent works. His works including Madonna in the Meadow (1505/06), School of Athens (c. 1508–11), Sistine Madonna (1512/13), The Transfiguration (1516–20), and Portrait of Baldassare Castiglione (c. 1514–15) tells of his many talents to this day. He died in 1520 at the tender age of 37.
Annibale Carracci
Annibale Carracci was almost as great as the famous Raphael, who started the tradition of artists being buried in the Pantheon. Carracci came from a well-known family of painters in Bologna, Italy. Along with another artist called Caravaggio, he helped start a new style of art in Rome called the Baroque around the year 1600.
Taddeo Zuccaro
Taddeo Zuccaro was a noted frescoist. He thrived in 16th-century Italy.
Baldassare Peruzzi
Baldassare Peruzzi was an important Renaissance artist and architect. He is best known for designing the Villa Farnesina, a beautiful building in Rome.
King Vittorio Emanuele II
One wall inside the building is the tomb of King Vittorio Emanuele II. The tomb is very large and calls him the “Father of the Homeland” in large lettering. This is written in Italian as “Padre della Patria.” Special Honour Guard to the Royal Tombs of the Pantheon watches over the tomb.
How did they make Pantheon doors?
The doors’ panels and lintels consist of cast bronze. Each leaf pivots on pins installed in the floor and architrave. The doors, in form and detail, mirror ancient bronze doors of Rome, like those in the Temple of Romulus and the Curia Julia.
Bronze fluted pilasters, topped with Tuscan capitals, flank both sides of the doors. These capitals feature egg-and-dart motifs—bronze casting with egg-shaped ornaments and arrowheads. The pilasters connect through an entablature with a concise frieze. Above the doors, a wooden frame holds six identical vertical bronze lattice panels. This transom features an ancient pattern and aids in ventilation, allowing airflow when the doors are closed.
Conclusion
The doors are more than just a functional entrance; they symbolize ancient Roman engineering and architectural excellence. Their historical significance, impressive design, and continued functionality make them standout features of the Pantheon. The doors’ dimensions and ancient bronze construction highlight the remarkable craftsmanship of the time. As visitors marvel at the Pantheon doors, they gain a deeper appreciation for Rome’s architectural and historical achievements. The Pantheon doors not only guard the entrance to a magnificent structure but also represent the enduring legacy of Roman innovation and artistry
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