Yesterday was Rome’s birthday. While the mega concert on Via dei Fori Imperiali and the fireworks above the Campidoglio were hard to miss, there was is one tradition – a few thousand years older – that was a bit more subtle, but infinitely more moving.
The Pantheon, which was built in the 1st century AD, was constructed so that the oculus in the roof would funnel the light in to the entry way on exactly April 21, the day that Romulus and Remus founded Rome. At that very instant the Emperor would enter the door way of the Pantheon, bathed in the intense light coming in from the roof.
I visited the Pantheon to witness this yearly event with the Friends of the Academy in Rome. Professor Marina Franceschini graciously explained the complex engineering that went into the design, building and construction of the Pantheon so that it could take advantage of the movement of the Sun. For more on the history of the Pantheon and the use of light see this short video.
For now I’ll just leave you with these images which barely capture how incredible the event was. 
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It never ceases to amaze me how men could create these ideas and execute them into such incredible buildings 2012 years ago without the help of ‘modern technology’.
wow!
Incredible. I’m surprised there weren’t more people inside to witness this. Or was access limited somehow?
I was surprised there weren’t more people too.
Amazing! A fireworks show that has gone on for ages!
thanks for sharing this!!
Now we know the origin of the phrase” being in the spotlight” amazing, and amazingly historical.
Thanks Elizabeth!
One of my favorite buildings when we come to Rome. Thanks for the pictures. We’ve never been there at the right time so its great to see how it actually looks.
So sorry I missed this! Thanks for the great photos!
Jan beat me to it because “wow” is really the response, if an albeit overly-simplified one! You left me wondering who, in 2012 (especially on an election night in France) deserves to walk in the door with that light!
Wow! What time does this happen?
Incredible!I didnot know that and my MARITO is from ROMA!
One of my oldest and dearest friends introduced me to the Pantheon and described exactly what you photographed here. Thank you so much for these pictures and especially the memories.
PS You probably knew my friend Norm. He was portiere at the Academy for a long time.
Of course, who didn’t know -and love – Norm!?
That’s good to hear! You’ll appreciate then the sheer volume of information I received on the subject of the Pantheon. As well as everything else under the sun!
That is indeed an interesting tidbit about my favorite (and everyone else’s) ancient building in Rome. I can’t wait to see it again when I’m back in a few weeks.
Elizabeth,
Just watched the small video on the Pantheon.
Thanks for sharing. As many times as I have been to Rome, I had never heard this story. I can’t wait to share it with one of my sons, who went to the American University in Rome and graduated there. In all those years no one had ever told us this bit of history about the Pantheon…Fascinating..
Just curious who permitted a Macdonalds across from the Pantheon. Not a very pleasing view.
The McDonalds has been closed for quite a while.
a great accomplishment, I would have loved to see it…..I doubt it could executed today without the benefit of computers and a battery of lawyers……….sadly, this great achievment was done just to glorify the emperor, …..I can only hope that lessons of engineering and math that were used elsewhere…….
My husband just loved this. Your photos capture the light effect even better than the CNN film crew. We can’t wait to be standing there next month.
Best. Building. Ever. We pretty much head straight for the Pantheon upon arrival in Rome. I have yet to be there when it is raining or snowing, however. It’s good to have goals, though!
Fascinating, but one thing occurs to me. Since the Pantheon was built, many countries, including Italy, have changed from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar (Italy, for the most part, in 1582), something of which I’m sure you’re aware, Elizabeth. It would seem that 21 April on the Julian calendar (as used at the time the Pantheon was built) equates to 4 May on our Gregorian version. So it would be interesting to see if the solar effect worked just as well tomorrow, the date that the Romans would have been following. Mind you, the Julian calendar was mathematically imperfect, so in effect, the Gregorian 21 April is correct. I think I’ve just discussed the matter with myself in public and realised that I’ve been barking up the wrong tree. Woof!