| The Pantheon, one of the greatest engineering feats, | | | | they weigh less and are just 7.5 feet thick. Strange |
| was built in the time of Hadrian, the emperor known | | | | as it may seem this brainwave of the architects |
| for his famous wall among other things, around 125 | | | | involved was not picked up by future builders. |
| AD. This marvellous edifice has stood the test of | | | | Handicapped though the builders were in those days, |
| time. While other monuments of the world crumbled, | | | | without the advantage of machines and high precision |
| the Pantheon stands intact today, thanks to the | | | | instruments, yet they were able to erect a |
| brilliant design and engineering expertise of those | | | | monument that has stood for almost 2000 years. |
| responsible for this strikingly magnificent monument. | | | | Besides, transportation wasn't advanced. The only |
| Structurally the Pantheon has an imposing entrance, | | | | way they could move the materials was via the |
| constructed in the shape of a rectangle. The classic | | | | River Tiber. On land, the building material would have |
| Greek influence is evident in the granite pillars that | | | | to be placed on carts and dragged by man or beast |
| bear a triangular pediment. The entrance leads into a | | | | to the site. |
| rotunda, topped by a dome. The entrance to the | | | | The remarkable thing about the Pantheon is that |
| circular space has three rows of Corinthian pillars. Of | | | | except for the restoration of its massive bronze |
| these, eight are constructed in front, followed by | | | | doors, no major repair work has been carried out on |
| eight more in two sets. This majestic rectangular | | | | the structure, despite it having been built on marshy |
| entrance takes you into the rotunda. | | | | soil. In comparison, the leaning Tower of Pisa has |
| That the circular structure should be able to hold up a | | | | undergone many renovations, in attempts to keep it |
| 142-foot diameter dome for so many centuries | | | | from collapsing. The soft ground on which it was built |
| stands as proof of the sound architectural | | | | has been blamed for this. |
| knowledge, the combination of materials used and | | | | Copies have been attempted of the Pantheon. The |
| the precision to which the construction was carried | | | | Reading Room at the British Museum, as also the |
| out. At the centre of the dome is an opening called | | | | rotunda, named for Thomas Jefferson in the |
| the oculus. This clever idea not only allows light to | | | | University of Virginia are examples. However, the |
| enter the structure, but also helps distribute the | | | | Pantheon transcends every replica made of it in |
| weight evenly. There is one drawback: the rain too | | | | beauty and structural elegance. |
| has free access to the interior. That too was catered | | | | The Pantheon has always been put to good use. |
| for by sloping the floor in the direction of the drains. | | | | Many famous people including monarchs have been |
| Every aspect of the building was planned carefully. | | | | buried there. From the eighth century to the present |
| The design of the steps is equally amazing. They are | | | | day, the Pantheon has been used as a church. |
| tapered in such a way that the base, which is 20 | | | | If you do get an opportunity to visit Rome, put the |
| feet in thickness, is heavier than the top. The steps | | | | Pantheon on the top of your 'must see' list. It's well |
| decrease in weight until they reach the oculus, where | | | | worth the effort. |