The sketch below is based on another done 75 years before the image above - in the mid-1550s. It shows the
bronze roof trusses at a different angle. These metal structures look surprisingly modern in design and concept.
Many architects and influential people have been inspired by
the ancient Pantheon's grand structure that has survived over nineteen centuries. And history has shown that what inspires and amazes people can lead them to copy it.
As a result, in the last few hundred years, many architects have used varying aspects of the Pantheon's structure in their building
designs. Below, I show photos of buildings in Berlin, Paris, and Washington DC that were obviously inspired by the Pantheon's unique architecture.
Looking in
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Looking up
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Altes Museum, Berlin - Room with coffered Dome & Oculus
Photos Licensed from Dreamstime.com
Like the Pantheon in Rome, the Altes Museum in Berlin has a large and circular "rotunda" room with Classical
sculptures standing below a magnificent coffered dome. In addition, the "attic" second-floor section above
has niches containing even more statues.
On the ground, numerous Corinthian columns stand along the perimeter. Interestingly, the marble
columns appear yellowish, matching the yellow Giallo Antico columns found within the Pantheon. However, there are no
observable alcoves or niches on the ground level; thus, the numerous statues stand out in the open.
Also very interesting are the ceiling coffers ornamented the way the original coffers may have been in Rome - with rosettes and bronze along the edges.
But, of course, a major difference is the glass-covered oculus in the centre which is not open to the sky and weather. I suppose I cannot fault the
museum because, after all, rain and snow that entered the room would have to be drained away before it caused water damage. Also, Berlin is a lot colder
than Rome in winter, so you can imagine how cold this large room would get during the cold seasons.
The floor pattern - though interesting and symmetrical - differs significantly from the "circle and rectangle"
geometric floor pattern of white, yellow, gray, and red tiles seen in the Pantheon. Despite some differences, this structure is still
very reminiscent of the Pantheon, and I am sure the Romans would find this lovely building quite impressive.
The Pantheon in Paris, 2017
Image courtesy: Rogerio Camboim - CC BY-2.0
The photo above of the
French Panthéon in the Latin Quarter of Paris is almost like a dream to me. We see a high and beautiful coffered
Pantheon-styled dome atop a rotunda composed of white Corinthian columns interspaced by tall windows that fill the interior with bright light. The rotunda
seems to be almost floating above the rest of the structure.
This domed structure, supported by a series of huge arches rising from the floor below, is very reminiscent of the
Hagia Sofia building in Istanbul, Turkey (formerly the city of Constantinople, capital of the Roman Eastern Empire
for over 1,000 years). And the large arches and elaborate wall decorations are very Roman in style and execution.
In addition, the architecture is
very Corinthian, as shown by the elegant Cornice running along the walls between the arches and the circular Cornice below the dome and rotunda. There are also hints of the late Baroque style in the
wall paintings. This is a magnificent building and great architectural accomplishment of the late 1700s.
It is fascinating to see how, over the centuries, people have borrowed architectural concepts from the Pantheon and then imaginatively
expanded the concept in new directions.
The Jefferson Memorial in Washington DC, 2018
Image courtesy: John Brighenti - CC BY-2.0
And here, far from Rome, in the Capital of the U.S.A., we find a near-Pantheon-clone. Just like the Pantheon, we see a wide portico, eight columns wide (octastyle),
with a typical Roman pediment above. And
behind, we behold a circular building crowned with a large dome. This building is absolutely 100% a structure that was inspired by the Pantheon
in Rome.
A major difference is how this building uses the Ionic Order instead of the Pantheon's Corinthian Order. Another difference is the
Jefferson Memorial's wide and steep staircase that creates a dramatic entrance to the structure. While the Pantheon actually
does have a staircase, it has been buried for many centuries; also, its staircase was only about five steps high.
I can confirm that the
inside surface of the dome is indeed coffered. However, this dome does not have an opening in its centre (oculus) to the outside.
Nevertheless, the outside world still enters the circular room below through the sides which are composed of open gaps in the walls. These
gaps contain several columns, creating a remarkable effect, as shown in the remarkable photo below. Below a Pantheon-styled dome,
a large statue of Thomas Jefferson occupies the interior space.
Jefferson Memorial Interior in 2012
Image courtesy: Zach Frailey - CC BY NC-ND 2.0
This is a really stunning building. The effect outside, when standing in front of the wide staircase and looking up, is also very impressive. This building
represents neoclassical architecture at its very best. There are many other
examples of buildings inspired by the Pantheon, especially in the USA, where examples are found in Universities, memorials, and
Government buildings.
LIST OF CHANGES TO THE PANTHEON SINCE 128 AD
The Pantheon is an exceptionally well-preserved Roman building, despite having an outside that was
stripped down to bare concrete and brick. What makes the Pantheon the best preserved Roman structure is its stunning
inside that has been well-maintained by using both new materials and resurfaced ancient materials.
Of course, certain aspects of the
Pantheon's original structure have changed. Nevertheless, the Pantheon is still a marvellous visual architectural
experience resembling closely what the ancient Romans also experienced.
In the 21st century, the Pantheon we see today is the result of many centuries of restorations, cleanings, digging, and replacing.
Below is a list of these activities:
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All the original statues were removed;
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The bronze roof tiles were all removed;
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The Portico tympanum bronze eagle and other decorations were removed;
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Lead plating was installed over the dome;
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99% of the outside wall marble was pillaged;
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The dome ceiling's original dark blue colour with bronze accents in each coffer was covered with gray plaster;
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Several front columns were replaced;
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The interior upper wall surface (Attic) was replaced;
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Several of the seven alcoves that housed statues were rebuilt;
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Statues of Saints, and tombs for Monarchs and a painter, were added;
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Imperial Porphyry stone columns replaced by cheaper granite columns;
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The Portico's bronze roof girders were removed and melted;
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Portico Bronze Suspended ceiling below Bronze Girders removed and melted;
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A single Bell tower was added to the Pantheon roof and later demolished. It was replaced
with two new bell towers, which also were demolished in the late 1800s.
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2/3 of the Pantheon floor was either resurfaced and/or replaced;
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Bronze letters added to replace the ones missing on the front of the Pantheon;
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The original Pantheon doors were cleaned and cosmetically altered into the form seen today;
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Ground level of the area in front of the Pantheon lowered to Portico floor level.
Nevertheless, over 90% of the Pantheon podium and staircase are still buried.
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Considering how few Roman buildings are in as good a condition as the Pantheon, we
are indeed fortunate today to have the opportunity to glimpse the splendour and genius
of Roman architecture in the way that the ancient Romans did. The only other Roman building that nearly matches the
Pantheon is the Maison Carrée Roman Temple in Nimes, France.
Nearly always, all we see are partial Roman ruins that require much
imagination to visualize and
appreciate what once was -- thankfully, the Pantheon is one of the great exceptions to that sad reality.
Are there other significant exceptions like the Pantheon? I think
the Maison Carree in Nimes, France and the Curia Julia in Rome are also exceptionally well-preserved,
though a little bare on the inside.