Wednesday, July 27, 2011


Oh yes, there was also the Pantheon! Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon's dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. The height to the oculus and the diameter of the interior circle are the same, 43.3 metres (142 ft). A drainage system is built in for the rain coming through the oculus! The floor has a convexe shape allowing the water to flow to the drainage holes. 
One of the best preserved of all Roman buildings, it has been in continuous use throughout its history: originallyas a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome, and rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in about 126 AD, it has been used as a Roman catholic churchdedicated to "St. Mary and the Martyrssince the 7th century. The great painter Rafael insisted to be buried in this church.

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