Pantheon Roof Hole Rain

The huge 30ft hole built into the dome of rome s pantheon has mystified minds for centuries.

Pantheon roof hole rain.

Now historians have come up with an intriguing explanation for the feature it was built as a sundial. The hole oculus 7 8 meters in diameter is the only source of light and is the connection between the temple and the gods above. The pantheon is the world s oldest building in continuous use. Air would be sucked in to replace that air from other openings lower down of course.

Rain occasionally fall through it but the floor is slanted and drains the water if it manages to hit the floor. Rain falling thru the pantheon roof in rome italy. And at least partially to let out smoke from candles lamps and torches you have to remember that at the time the pantheon was built the only forms of artificial light that existed were candles torches and oil lamps. In practice rain seldom falls inside the dome.

It allows sunlight into the temple room below it but also allows rain to the interior which is why the marble floor below curves outward to drain the water. These were very inadequate for most situations. Obviously being open to the elements means it also rains inside the pantheon but a gently sloping floor and 22 well hidden holes help the water to drain away. Another beautiful effect takes place at pentecost when rose petals are sprinkled through the oculus after the annual mass.

However some days are particularly special and that includes pentecost at the pantheon. From above the pantheon s 19 foot oculus the hole at the top of the dome is an obvious opening to the elements.