I am one of those who think that dimensions, proportions, materials and design of the Pantheon forge a constructive harmony that would elevate it as the classic architectural work par excellence.

@SaveRome @scsclassics @Classical_Assoc @AmAcademyRome @DariusAryaDigs @wmarybeard

The majesty of the exterior of the Pantheon is magnified as we enter it.

I would like to comment on one of its architectural features evoking my visit on April 7, 2018. Something was happening inside the Pantheon.
@oatweet @Caecilius_CLC @CamClassics @TheRomanSoc @GCIConservation @TheAncientWorld @the_bsr @oxfordclassics @SarahEBond @HSAmuseum

Despite the expectation created it would not be until the next day when the solar beam was to coincide fully in the entrance arc.

Without a fixed date, it occurs twice a year linked to the equinoxes and with a difference of 19 days, after spring and before autumn.

As an example, I include two snapshots of the event before the autumnal equinox of 2016 and that correspond, therefore, with September 3.

But we must take into account another peculiarity of the architectural element that crowns the interior of the main door of the Pantheon, because, curiously enough, it is a horseshoe arch!

How is it possible that a horseshoe arch is found in a classic architectural monument of this category?
This question acquires greater importance at verifying that, in addition, its presence participates in the rupture of the perfect symmetry of the interior design.

There are good examples of horseshoe arches forming part of the decoration of funeral steles from Roman times. In Hispania some very interesting ones are located, especially in the northwest, like this one of the Archaeological Museum of León.
@museoscastyleon

But it is worth focusing on another of these stelae located in León in the nineteenth century, because what is represented in it is clearly in tune with what was observed in the event of the Pantheon (National Archaeological Museum, Madrid).
@museoscastyleon @MANArqueologico

The European Journal of Roman Architecture has just published a paper in which I offer information on this issue.
This article is available only in Spanish, I'm sorry.
@AntMonterrosoCh
https://www.uco.es/ucopress/ojs/index.php/reudar/article/view/11476

“La aplicación del arco de herradura en el Panteón (Roma) y su proyección simbólica en la estela de Valens “(León, NW Hispania)”

You can also download it at:

http://Academia.edu : https://www.academia.edu/37923615/La_aplicaci%C3%B3n_del_arco_de_herradura_en_el_Pante%C3%B3n_Roma_y_su_proyecci%C3%B3n_simb%C3%B3lica_en_la_estela_de_Valens_Le%C3%B3n_NW_Hispania_

http://Boveda.org : http://www.boveda.org/descargas.htm#revBVD