The buidling located in the centre of Rome, is a glamorous example of ancient temples.
Edifice has been built by Marcus Agrippa, roman general and statesman , and originally has been dedicated to all ancient roman gods .
In the begining the building was surrounded by many gods sculptures and had a stepped approach with the pediment.
The temple is circular in plan, consists of three ranks of grey granite Corinthian columns which support a triangular stone portico/porch (originally there were two of them), pronaos (columnade leading to the entrance ) and a main chamber of a temple which is a rotonda that houses a nishes, apses and the oltars of the cult figures.
In the next centuries after conversion the temple into a catholic church, the gods figures were replaced by figures and thombes of the catholic saints, popes, great artists like Rafaell Santi, or music composer Corelli.
One of the most impressive things about the building is it's interiour with roman concrete dome, oculus - the only sorce of direct light in the temple and lovely square coffers around the dome as well as the constructiion of the dome itself which thickness variess from 6.4 m at the base of the dome to 1.2m at the top .
No wonder why it is one of the most popular monuments in Rome for many centuries until today.
One more thing : when visitng that great edifice do not forgett about a lovely obelisk located outside, in front of the building, which was a very thoughtfull idea in terms of a composition of a square, housing the Temple.
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