See the Angels & Demons locations with a licensed guide
Small-group walking tour of the Path of Illumination, max 8 guests, with the Pantheon on the way.
The Pantheon is the best-preserved building of ancient Rome, and it is also the resting place of Raphael. In Angels and Demons it is where Robert Langdon starts looking for the first altar of science, before he understands that the real “Earth” altar is somewhere else. Here is what to see at Raphael’s tomb, how the Pantheon fits into the story and how to plan your visit.
Quick answer: Raphael’s tomb is inside the Pantheon, under the Madonna del Sasso statue. In the novel Langdon first thinks this tomb is the “Earth” altar, but the real first altar is the Chigi Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo, designed by Raphael. The Pantheon is open daily 9:00 to 19:00 (last entry 18:30) and needs a ticket for tourist visits.
A temple for all the gods
The first temple on this site was commissioned by Marcus Agrippa in 27 BC and dedicated to all the gods. The building you see today was rebuilt under Emperor Hadrian between 118 and 125 AD. Its concrete dome is just over 43 metres wide, exactly as wide as the building is tall, and the oculus at the top, almost 9 metres across, is the only source of natural light.
In 609 AD Emperor Phocas gave the building to Pope Boniface IV, who consecrated it as the church of Santa Maria ad Martyres. This is why the Pantheon has survived so well, and why it is still an active church today.
Raphael’s tomb: what to look for
Raphael died in Rome in 1520, at the height of his fame, and was buried in the Pantheon. Look for these details:
- The Madonna del Sasso, the marble statue above the tomb, carved by Raphael’s pupil Lorenzetto.
- The epitaph by Pietro Bembo, which says that while Raphael lived, Nature feared being outdone by him, and when he died she feared she would die too.
- The plaque to Maria Bibbiena, Raphael’s fiancée, on the right of the tomb.
- The bust of Raphael by Giuseppe Fabris, from 1833, on the left.
The Pantheon is also the burial place of Kings Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I and of Queen Margherita of Savoy.
Follow the real Illuminati path with a licensed guide
Angels & Demons small-group walking tour: 3 hours, max 8 guests, free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
The Pantheon in Angels and Demons
The first clue of the Path of Illumination points to “Santi’s earthly tomb with demon’s hole”. Langdon knows that Santi was Raphael’s surname, so he rushes to Raphael’s tomb in the Pantheon, and the round oculus seems to fit the “demon’s hole”. It is the wrong place: the clue refers to a chapel Raphael designed, not to his grave. The real “Earth” altar is the Chigi Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo.
This mistake makes the Pantheon one of the most memorable scenes of the story, and it is a good example of how Dan Brown mixes real places with fiction. Read the full route in our guide to the real Illuminati path in Rome.
The Pantheon and the Path of Illumination
| Place | Role in the novel |
|---|---|
| Pantheon | Langdon’s first, wrong guess for the “Earth” altar (Raphael’s tomb) |
| Santa Maria del Popolo | Earth: the Chigi Chapel designed by Raphael |
| St Peter’s Square | Air: the “West Ponente” relief |
| Santa Maria della Vittoria | Fire: Bernini’s Ecstasy of Saint Teresa |
| Piazza Navona | Water: the Fountain of the Four Rivers |
Walk the whole story with a local guide
Our 3-hour Angels & Demons small-group tour visits the real places of the novel, and you see the Pantheon and Castel Sant’Angelo from the outside. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Practical tips for visiting the Pantheon
- Tickets: buy online on the official Musei Italiani portal or at the desks and totems on site. Booking is optional and entry is in order of arrival. Visitors under 18 enter free, and there is free entry on the first Sunday of the month.
- Hours: daily 9:00 to 19:00, last entry 18:30; ticket desks close at 18:00. Closed on 25 December and 1 January.
- Mass: Saturday and the day before holidays at 17:00, Sunday and holidays at 10:30. During services entry is for worshippers only and ticket sales stop one hour before.
- Dress code: it is a church, so cover your shoulders and avoid very short shorts or skirts. Keep your voice low inside.
- Best time: early morning is usually calmer than the middle of the day.
More ideas for your trip
Visiting Rome in December? Join our Christmas walking tour of Rome to see nativity scenes and festive streets. Arriving by cruise ship? Book a private transfer from Civitavecchia to Rome (about 60 to 75 minutes to the city centre). And if you have an extra day, consider our Venice day trip from Rome by high-speed train.
Frequently asked questions
Is Raphael really buried in the Pantheon?
Yes. Raphael died in Rome in 1520 and his tomb is inside the Pantheon, under the statue known as the Madonna del Sasso, carved by his pupil Lorenzetto.
Is the Pantheon in Angels and Demons?
Yes. In the novel Robert Langdon first thinks Raphael’s tomb in the Pantheon is the “Earth” altar, then realises the real first altar is the Chigi Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo, which Raphael designed.
Do you need a ticket to enter the Pantheon?
Yes, a ticket is needed for tourist visits. It can be bought online on the official Musei Italiani portal or at the ticket desks; booking is optional and entry is in order of arrival. Visitors under 18 enter free.
What are the Pantheon opening hours?
The Pantheon is open daily from 9:00 to 19:00, with last entry at 18:30. It is closed on 25 December and 1 January, and hours can change for religious services.
Does the Angels and Demons tour go inside the Pantheon?
No. On our Angels and Demons tour you see the Pantheon from the outside while your guide explains its role in the story; the tour visits the churches and squares of the Path of Illumination.