The Pantheon in Rome has stood for nearly 2,000 years, defying time with its unmatched engineering. Originally a Roman temple, later a church, it features the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome—an architectural marvel.
At its centre lies the oculus, a nine-metre-wide opening that floods the interior with natural light. But its most fascinating feature is its celestial connection. Every April 21st, Rome’s birthday, a stunning solar event occurs—at exactly noon, sunlight beams through the oculus, perfectly illuminating the entrance in a spectacle called Dies Natalis Romae.
Once symbolising divine favour for emperors, this phenomenon is a testament to the Romans’ advanced engineering and astronomical precision—a stunning blend of science and symbolism that still captivates visitors today.
