The Pantheon

The Pantheon is the best-preserved monument of ancient Rome and was completed between 126 and 128 AD after being burned down twice. It is thought to have been built as a temple for all the roman gods because of the Greek roots of pan meaning “all’ and theos meaning “gods” but no one knows for sure if they were all worshipped or only a select number were. The original building was burnt down in 80 AD and was rebuilt before burning down again in 110 AD by a lightning strike, because of that no one knows what it originally looked like. In 609 AD it was converted into a Christian church and was the first pagan church to be concentrated and become a Christian church.

After the conversion, it became the burial place for the famous renaissance painter Raphael.