Pantheon sun beam: where is the light today?
Short answer: 6 Nov 2026: At its lowest (11:55) the sun disc is on the dome above the entrance (north) side, about 31 m up; book the 11:00 slot.
The only light inside the Pantheon comes through the open oculus at the top of the dome. The sun turns it into a disc of light that slides across the coffered dome, down the walls and, around midday in late spring and summer, onto the marble floor.
Fri 6 November 2026 · open 09:00–19:00
Book 11:00
At its lowest (11:55) the sun disc is on the dome above the entrance (north) side, about 31 m up; book the 11:00 slot.
| Time | Sun | Where the sun disc is |
|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | 19° | On the dome above the north-west side, about 39 m up |
| 09:30 | 23° | On the dome above the north-west side, about 37 m up |
| 10:00 | 26° | On the dome above the north-west side, about 35 m up |
| 10:30 | 29° | On the dome above the entrance (north) side, about 33 m up |
| 11:00 | 31° | On the dome above the entrance (north) side, about 32 m up |
| 11:30 | 32° | On the dome above the entrance (north) side, about 31 m up |
| 12:00 | 32° | On the dome above the entrance (north) side, about 31 m up |
| 12:30 | 32° | On the dome above the entrance (north) side, about 31 m up |
| 13:00 | 30° | On the dome above the entrance (north) side, about 32 m up |
| 13:30 | 28° | On the dome above the north-east side, about 34 m up |
| 14:00 | 25° | On the dome above the north-east side, about 35 m up |
| 14:30 | 22° | On the dome above the north-east side, about 37 m up |
| 15:00 | 18° | On the dome above the north-east side, about 39 m up |
| 15:30 | 14° | On the dome above the north-east side, about 41 m up |
| 16:00 | 9° | On the dome above the north-east side, about 42 m up |
| 16:30 | 4° | On the dome above the north-east side, about 43 m up |
| 17:00 | — | No sun |
| 17:30 | — | No sun |
| 18:00 | — | No sun |
| 18:30 | — | No sun |
| 19:00 | — | No sun |
Tickets
A timed ticket is needed. Visits pause during Mass (usually Saturday evening and Sunday morning). On 21 April the midday beam falls on the entrance doorway.
Pantheon tickets with time slots
Through the year
| Month (15th) | Beam on the floor | Lowest point |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | On the dome above the entrance (north) side, about 34 m up |
| February | — | On the dome above the entrance (north) side, about 29 m up |
| March | — | On the wall of the entrance (north) side, about 21 m up |
| April | — | On the wall of the entrance (north) side, about 9 m up |
| May | 12:10–14:10 | On the floor, 18 m from the centre towards the entrance (north) side |
| June | 11:45–14:40 | On the floor, 15 m from the centre towards the entrance (north) side |
| July | 12:00–14:35 | On the floor, 16 m from the centre towards the entrance (north) side |
| August | — | On the wall of the entrance (north) side, about 2 m up |
| September | — | On the wall of the entrance (north) side, about 16 m up |
| October | — | On the dome above the entrance (north) side, about 26 m up |
| November | — | On the dome above the entrance (north) side, about 33 m up |
| December | — | On the dome above the entrance (north) side, about 36 m up |
Pantheon light by month
Questions
What time does the sun beam hit the floor of the Pantheon?
Only from about May to July, around solar noon. On 15 June 2027 it is on the floor from 11:45 to 14:40. The rest of the year the disc stays on the walls or the dome. Pick your date above for exact times.
Where is the sun beam in the Pantheon in winter?
In winter the sun is too low to reach the floor or walls: the disc stays on the coffered dome all day, highest on the north side at midday. On the dome above the entrance (north) side, about 36 m up at midday in December.
What happens at the Pantheon on 21 April?
On 21 April, the traditional founding day of Rome, the midday disc falls on the north wall just above the entrance doorway, about 6 m up. See our 21 April page for the exact time.
Which ticket slot should I book for the Pantheon light?
Book a slot about 15 to 30 minutes before the time the disc is where you want it. Today that is 11:00.
Calculated from the sun's position for Rome, Italy and the building's orientation measured from OpenStreetMap outlines. Light levels are a geometric estimate: they assume a clear sky and do not model every pillar or neighbouring roof. Opening hours can change for services and events; times are local (Europe/Rome).