History

Dies Natalis: the Pantheon's magical arc of light for Rome's birthday

20 Apr, 2022

Sun lights up Pantheon entrance on Rome’s birthday.

Rome's birthday, known as Natale di Roma, falls on 21 April, and this year the city marks 2,775 years since its legendary founding by Romulus in 753 BC.

One spectacular event that occurs in Rome's birthday is the Dies Natalis phenomenon at the Pantheon.

Each year on this date the midday sun enters the oculus of Rome's Pantheon and creates a disk of light that centres perfectly on the entrance doorway.

#NataleDiRoma2022 | Il Ministero della Cultura celebra il 2775esimo anniversario dalla fondazione di #Roma. Rivedi il video del #MiC sul passaggio di luce dall'oculus del @pantheon_roma che ogni #21aprile, a mezzogiorno, illumina il tempio di Agrippa: https://t.co/A2UtQI8xiZ pic.twitter.com/bW5it0WIxp
— Ministero della Cultura (@MiC_Italia) April 21, 2022