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The central rotunda, surrounded by the lagoon.The structure's beautiful dome is the fifth largest in the world, even higher than the United States Capitol.The Palace of Fine Arts is a grandiose building wich was originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. This is the only structure of the few surviving ones which is still situated on its original site. The Palace intended to stand only for the duration of the Exhibition. Although it hadn't been built of durable materials, it was so beloved that it was saved from demolition. After years of various uses, in 1964 the building was reconstructed in permanent materials. Still in that decade it became home to the Exploratorium (an interactive museum) and the Palace of Fine Arts Theater.Around the rotunda rows of Corinthian columns frame the walkway.