The Pantheon

Sometimes, the warm sun peeks through my special window in the ceiling. It makes a bright circle on my floor that moves all day long. Sometimes, raindrops fall gently inside, making tiny, happy splashes. At my front door, big, strong pillars stand tall, like friendly giants saying hello. They hold up my porch so everyone feels welcome. I am the Pantheon, and I live in a busy, beautiful city called Rome.

My first story began a long, long time ago. A kind man named Marcus Agrippa built me. That was around the year 27 BCE. He wanted me to be a special house for all the Roman gods. I loved having so many important stories inside my walls. One day, I was hurt by a fire, and that made me very sad. It felt like I had a tummy ache. But soon, a new friend was on his way to help me feel all better again.

That new friend was a kind emperor named Hadrian. He came to the rescue. Around the year 128 CE, he helped rebuild me to be even more amazing than before. He gave me my giant, round roof. It is a big, beautiful dome, like a giant upside-down bowl. In the very middle of my dome is my special eye to the sky. It is called an oculus. It is always open. Through my oculus, I can watch the fluffy white clouds float by during the day. At night, I can see the sparkly stars twinkle hello.

After many, many years passed, I got a new job. Around the year 609 CE, I became a special building called a church. I felt so proud to have a new purpose. Today, friends from all over the world still come to visit me in Rome. They love to stand in my big, round room and look up at my oculus. They watch the sunbeams dance on my walls. I love sharing my history and my special view of the sky with everyone who comes to say hello. I am here to remind you to always look up and wonder.