In the Pantheon, there is a light effect that occurs only once a year, on the occasion of the Christmas of Rome.
At noon on the day in which the city celebrates the anniversary of its foundation, a beam of light enters from the open oculus of the dome and radiates part of its interior up to the entrance door facing north, giving the visitor an awe-inspiring spectacle.
Whoever can visit the Pantheon on April 21 can see it, a phenomenon that is repeated every year.
That brings us back to the past, to the time of the splendor of ancient Rome.
What does the secret light effect in the Pantheon mean?
The play of light in the Pantheon dates back to its design, commissioned by Agrippa at the behest of Augustus in 27 BC.
An effect designed to mark the seasons and, at the same time, welcome the emperor’s triumphant entrance.
The temple was built to celebrate all the gods of ancient Rome. According to myth, it was the exact site of the disappearance of Romulus, the first king of the city, who ascended to heaven during a public ceremony, as reported by Livy, Plutarch, and Floreus.
Does it rain inside the Pantheon?
The Pantheon structure is really particular, in addition to the luminous phenomenon known for the so-called ‘chimney effect.’ Legend has it that it does not rain in the Pantheon even though the oculus is open.
However, this is not correct: light rain would create a sort of hot air current that was going upwards and could mist the drops, giving the impression that the water is not able to enter.
But in the case of heavy rain or thunderstorms, the water enters, and there are drainage holes in the floor to allow the rain to drain away.
History of the Pantheon
We see today is not the original Pantheon of the years of Augustus, but the one rebuilt by Hadrian in 118 AD with innovative architectural solutions.
Over time the structure was, in fact, devastated by fire and other natural disasters. In 608, the Pantheon was donated by Emperor Foca to Pope Boniface IV. On May 13 or November 1 of the following year, the Pantheon was consecrated to Mary and the Christian martyrs.
Over the centuries, the Pantheon has housed the remains of famous artists, including Raphael Sanzio and other famous people.
