Interior of the Pantheon, with ray of light from the center Oculus
On entering the door of the Pantheon (an Ancient Rome buiding), the effect you feel is meant to be overwhelming.
You suddenly find yourself in this huge empty space which causes vertigo and makes you feel tiny. This is how you were supposed to feel in front of the gods and anyone going in today can have the same sensation as the Romans did almost 2000 years ago.
At the centre of the dome's apex, there is a 9 meter diameter hole, the Oculus.
Since the Pantheon has no windows, the Oculus and the entry door are the only sources of light in the interior: the only light penetrates from above streaming down like a river of inner light. Towards midday, the rays coming through the Oculus are particularly intense.
The Oculus was also to let the smoke from sacred fires out. When it rains, it also rains in the Pantheon; the floor is slightly convex so the water flows away thanks to an effective drainage system.
At the centre of the dome's apex, there is a 9 meter diameter hole, the Oculus.
Since the Pantheon has no windows, the Oculus and the entry door are the only sources of light in the interior: the only light penetrates from above streaming down like a river of inner light. Towards midday, the rays coming through the Oculus are particularly intense.
The Oculus was also to let the smoke from sacred fires out. When it rains, it also rains in the Pantheon; the floor is slightly convex so the water flows away thanks to an effective drainage system.
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