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The Pantheon |
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written
by julia625 / 10.24.2005 |
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Part 1: |
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Regardless of the hour, each time I approach the Pantheon I have the same initial impression. Wow. I have probably visited the Pantheon 10 times already and noon or night, rain or shine, I always think about the same thing; ancient, pre-Catholic Rome. Once inside, the circular structure encourages you to walk around the ancient temple, viewing all aspects of the now church. Despite hour of the day, the structure of the Pantheon remains the same. The artwork doesn’t change. It is the light in the Pantheon, varying significantly at different times in the day, that truly defines the ambiance.
In the dim sunlight of the morning, the Pantheon has a very sleepy feel. The light is slightly muted and comes from straight above. The sun has yet to take full advantage of the oculus so all areas of the circular chamber are lit equally from above. There are very few tourists so the entire place feels soft. As the day progresses, however, the overhead lighting turns into a beam of light that rotates around the circumference of the building. At different times, different niches on the walls are highlighted, presumably where ancient statues to the Gods used to reside. It is really an awesome sight to catch the sun when it is square in the center of one of these niches. I always find myself imagining what gold or marble tribute to which God was there, and how majestic it must have been with the full force of the sunlight dancing with the statue. As the evening comes, the church becomes a place of worship. The light is once again dimmed, but in a more spiritual way. The sunlight is retreating for the night, caught at the point where it is not quite gone, but no longer fully lighting the Pantheon. The subdued light and late hour combine forces to create an ambiance promoting silence and respect. The Pantheon seemed much more personal at this hour. The lack of light leads my eye upward and I find myself just staring at the ceiling in quiet reflection.
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Part 2: |
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Compared to most structures, especially in the United States, the Pantheon is massive. When you enter, however, it doesn’t seem oppressively large. Its unique circular shape welcomes you in and leads you around the circumference. The circular structure and circular rotation of the light from the oculus mimic how the viewer should experience the Pantheon. Its hard to walk in and just stand in the center, you feel obligated to make at least one round around the edges of the building. Although all spaces lead the viewer, the lighting and architecture work together here to enclose and almost protect its visitors.
The main difference I found between the Piazza Novona and the Pantheon was the purpose of its structure. When I first entered the Piazza Novona I was drawn in by its sheer size. The open space and constant activity sucked me in. The Piazza Novona has the advantage of mystery in that each time I visited the Piazza, I found something new to look at or experience. The Pantheon’s mystery lies in the fact that you don’t know how the structure of the building will interact with you each time you are there. While Piazza Novona is defined by what it contains, the Pantheon is not famous for its architecture. For example, look at the differences between the two spaces during a rain storm. The Piazza Novona virtually empties and although it is interesting to look at the four rivers fountain at night, all the people empty the Piazza, effectively sucking the life out of it. The Pantheon becomes more magical in the rain. It offers shelter and protection to the people, despite the huge hole in the center. People circle around the protective barriers placed around the area where the rain is falling through just staring up at the drops. What the Pantheon lacks in function, it makes up in structure.
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