Pantheon
"The Pantheon is the best-preserved building from ancient Rome, built in 126 AD by Emperor Hadrian. Its concrete dome remained the world's largest unreinforced dome for 1,300 years. The oculus (9-meter hole at the dome's peak) is the only light source and lets rain fall directly onto the marble floor with drainage holes."
Logistics
Affordable
Vibe
Awe-inspiring, architectural
Duration
30-45 minutes
Best For
Architecture lovers
The Backstory
It survived intact because it was converted to a church in 609 AD. The building's proportions are mathematically perfect: the dome's diameter equals its height. In 2023, it began charging admission for the first time.
Local Secret
"Go right at opening (9am) before tour groups arrive. Visit on a rainy day to see water pouring through the oculus—it's dramatic. Buy tickets online to skip the line."