Romanesque Design of the Pantheon in Paris
When the name Pantheon showed up in my map when I was going around in Paris. I was surprised to see it. All along I thought that there was only one Pantheon and it is in Rome. This one in Paris isn’t as ancient as the one in Rome but it was inspired by it. This Pantheon in Paris was planned to house the relics of the patron saint of Paris Saint Genevieve. However, construction was interrupted by the French revolution and it was eventually repurposed as a mausoleum for the heroes of the revolution. It was good that they decided to reuse the structure else Paris not have gained a monument to remember. Looking at it from the outside, it really is something that needs to be visited.
View of the Roof at the Crossing of the Pantheon in Paris
The neoclassical architecture of the Parisian Pantheon is no doubt taken from the original, however, there are changes which make it deviate from the Roman one. For one thing, the prominent dome that soars above the entire structure is one of its most defining characteristic. Up close you can’t really see it that much you can still have a look inside. The inside of the Pantheon gives an idea of the Romanesque and church design that was originally planned for this structure. Indeed, you would be forgiven if you though that this place was a church especially if you look at it from the inside. However, the lack of religious figures and iconography in the Pantheon will reveal its more secular purpose.
[xmlgm {http://www.worldwanderings.net/kml/PantheonParis.kmz} zoom=19]