Apartments in the Pantheon Area: Accommodation Fit for Gods
The Agrippa Pantheon , or Rome Pantheon , is a temple that represents the cosmogony of a society that used devotion and beliefs as a driving force for the development of art and culture. It was built by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa in 27 BC and was subsequently rebuilt by Hadrian on top of the ruins that remained after the fire of 80 AD. In 609 AD the Byzantine Emperor Phocas, the sovereign of Rome, gave it to Pope Boniface VI who converted it into the Santa Maria ad Martyres Church. The skeletal remains of the martyrs were transferred to this church from the dungeons and it was consecrated to the purification of the city of Rome.
The word Pantheon is of Greek origin and means "all the Gods". According to studies, the original building did not bear a lot of resemblance to the current building. The vault was rectangular rather than circular, as it had to reflect the strength of the Roman Empire and the emperor. The orientation of the building also changed and the main façade now faces north. A square was built in front of the temple with porticoes on three of its sides. The Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage is responsible for maintaining this architectural gem, in spite of the fact that it is a church and is dependent on the Vatican.
UNESCO declared the historic center of Rome and the Pantheon World Heritage sites in 1980.
Pentecost is one of the typical rites that are celebrated in the Pantheon. On June 8th, red rose petals are dropped from the oculus of the building while the choir sings "Veni Creator Spiritus". It is an amazing sight.
If you visit the Pantheon, you will need to be patient as there are always many visitors and you may need to wait to enter. Inside the Pantheon you are not permitted to take photographs, talk loudly, sit on the floor, lean against the walls, wear unsuitable clothing or use your telephone. It is open from Monday to Saturday from 8.30am until 7.30pm and on Sunday from 9.00am until 6.00pm. When you come out of the Pantheon you can take a seat on a terrace on Plaza Rotonda and have a coffee.
If you are staying close to the Pantheon for the summer solstice, which takes place on the June 21st at 12.00pm, make sure you visit this wonderful monument. You will have the opportunity to see the interior of the building lit by the sun's shining rays. This effect is proof of how advanced astronomy was in ancient times.
Accommodation Close to the Pantheon
Taking a stroll in the Pantheon area means immersing yourself in the history of mankind, beliefs and power and taking in the beauty and perfection that man is capable of creating. There are various types of accommodation around the Pantheon, which rank among the best that Rome has to offer. There is a wide variety of hotels to choose from depending on your budget and preferences, although hotels in this area tend to be expensive. If you are looking for more economical options we would recommend taking a look at our list of apartments in Rome, particularly those close to the Pantheon. These modern, well-kept apartments are equipped with Wi-Fi and have very tasteful decor. We also have some studios and B&Bs that are very well connected to the rest of the city and affordable. They offer spectacular views of the area.
Also available are hostels and boarding houses that are located all over the city, which offer very reasonably priced accommodation for young people. So the decision is yours, depending on your budget.
Places Close to the Pantheon
- Piazza Navona is one of the most famous squares in Rome and is located around five minutes away from the Pantheon. It. It is famous for its sculptures, the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) and the surrounding buildings, which are considered to be of great historical and architectural value.
- Santa Maria sopra Minerva is one of Rome's minor basilicas. This basilica is the only Gothic church in the city and is one of Rome's treasures. It is built on top of a former pagan temple dedicated to Minerva, the patron saint of Rome. The basilica is also home to some true gems from the Renaissance period, such as Michelangelo's The Risen Christ, which is in the Caraffa Chapel. Outside you can see Bernini's sculpture El Pulcino della Minerva.
- The Column of Marcus Aurelius was built between 176 and 192 AD in honor of Emperor Marcus Aurelius to celebrate his victories against the Germanic Tribes. It is inspired by Trajan's Column and is located on Piazza Colonna, opposite the Palazzo Chigi.
- If you like archaeology then the Area Sacra is the place for you. It is a site with excavations that date back to Ancient Rome. The area was occupied by four temples that were built in the 3rd century BC. You can see the corner of the Curia of Pompey, where Julius Caesar was murdered, as well as the remains of the temples that date back to the Republican period. The area is populated by cats that live amongst the ruins. From there, you can go on to Campo di Fiori, a delightful flower market. It is typical of Rome and is surrounded by little cafés, restaurants and terraces. It is an ideal place to rent an apartment close to the Pantheon, although we strongly advise that you book well in advance because the apartments are highly sought after.
- The Church of the Gesù is the mother church of the Society of Jesus, more commonly known as the Jesuit Order. Founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the society gained a presence all over the world, particularly in Latin America, where the Society of Jesus played an important role in colonization.
If you want to take a trip through Roman culture, the best thing you can do is rent an apartment close to the Pantheon. These tastefully designed apartments are well equipped and offer good connections to the rest of the city and an unbeatable location.
How to Get to the Pantheon
Leonardo da Vinci Airport (Rome-Fiumicino) is 32 kilometers away from Termini Station. Buses leave every 20 minutes; the trip takes approximately 30 minutes depending on the traffic and costs €4. At Termini you can take a taxi , the No.64 or No. 492 bus . Both buses drop you off at the Argentina stop. Taxis from Fiumicino to Rome cost €48 and you can take them from any of the terminals. All of the international car rental companies have counters at the airport, in case you wish to visit Rome at your own pace.
