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Latin geometry

A sphere inserted into a cylinder. This is the basic geometry of the Pantheon in Rome that served as a model for the rotunda in the Old Museum. Only the oculus in the centre of the dome is not open like the one in Rome but covered with glas, the weather in Germany being far more inclement. Furthermore the rotunda has only half the size of the Pantheon. As decoration for the paneled ceiling Schinkel selected the signs of the zodiac. A large granite bowl was also commissioned for the hall but it turned out too big and was set up in front of the museum instead.
Not far from the Museum Island there is yet another building that took the Pantheon as its model as well – St. Hedwig Cathedral.