Temple of Augustus in Barcelona, Roman temple in Gothic Quarter, Spain.
The Temple of Augustus is a Roman ruin in the Gothic Quarter where four limestone columns with Corinthian capitals, rising about 12 meters high, are preserved within a medieval building. They display the construction style of an important ancient temple and remain visible today directly through the walls of a later structure.
The temple was built in the late first century BC under Emperor Augustus and served as a central shrine in the Roman city of Barcino. During the Middle Ages, it was incorporated into the walls of new buildings, which allowed the columns to survive to the present day.
The temple shows how Roman religious practices shaped daily life in the ancient city and how sacred spaces were later woven into the medieval urban fabric. Visitors can see today how the columns are embedded within the walls of a Gothic building, physically linking two different periods.
The ruin can be visited daily at no cost and is located directly within the medieval old town, making it easy to find while exploring other sights in the quarter. Access is from the outside through the street, since the columns are embedded into the wall of a private building.
The columns were erected around 10 BC and originally belonged to a shrine dedicated to the worship of Emperor Augustus himself, not just a standard deity. This imperial connection makes the ruin a rare testimony to the political power Rome wielded in Hispania.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
