Pantheon

Pantheon

126-128

5694

Bugbee, Gordon (photograph)

architectural elements

Italy (nation)

Rome (inhabited place)

Imperial (Roman)

domes (architectural elements)

oculi (openings)

coffered ceilings

pantheons

View of dome of the Pantheon in Rome, with coffered ceiling and oculus at the very top. "The dome seems to rest on the cornice. The columns in the first register do not the support the dome. It is concrete structure. The coffers in the dome are in perspective, diminishing in size as they rise,"--by Mary Ann Sullivan, Bluffton University. "The dome is constructed of stepped rings of solid concrete with less and less density as lighter aggregate (pumice) is used, diminishing in thickness to about 1.2 m (4 feet) at the edge of the oculus. The dome rests on a cylinder of masonry walls 6 m (20 feet). Hidden voids and the interior recesses hollow out this construction, so that it works less as a solid mass and more like three continuous arcades which correspond to the three tiers of relieving arches visible on the building exterior. Originally, these exterior walls were faced with colored marbles,"--The Architecture Week, Great Buildings website.

Span of dome: 142 feet

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GPB-ROM2-1439