Pantheon

The Pantheon meaning "Every God" was built in the early 2nd Century AD. The term pantheon is now known commonly as a place where the illustrious dead are buried. Since the Renaissance the pantheon has been used as a Tomb. Raphael is buried there, no not the Ninja Turtle but the famous painter. The building is circular with porch like roof that extends out the front held up by three rows of huge granite Corinthian columns (eight in the first and two groups of four behind.) Upon entering the round shaped building I immediately noticed the coffered ceiling and the central opening, Brian said to me look a bird as a bird flew over the opening. The Pantheon is the oldest large-scale dome in Rome, the height to the oculus (opening) and the diameter of the interior circle are the same around 142 ft.

This is one of the best preserved of all Roman buildings because of its continuous use throughout its history. Since the 7th century, the Pantheon (Santa Maria Rotonda) has been used as a Roman Catholic church.

This shows the huge Cement coffers...

The coffers for the concrete dome were poured in molds, on temporary scaffolding and the oculus (opening in the center) admits the only light.