Temple of the Sibyl, Roman temple on the Acropolis in Tivoli, Italy.
The Temple of the Sibyl is a circular Roman temple in Tivoli, in the Lazio region, perched on a rocky spur above the Aniene river. It has a cylindrical core wrapped by a ring of Corinthian columns carved from local travertine stone.
The temple was most likely built in the second half of the 2nd century BCE, when Tibur, modern Tivoli, was a favored retreat for wealthy Romans. In the medieval period it was converted into a Christian chapel, which helped the structure survive through the centuries.
The temple takes its name from a prophetess who was believed to speak the words of the gods, and this reputation drew people from far across the region. Today visitors come to look at the columns up close and enjoy the view over the gorge of the Aniene river below.
The temple sits on a hillside at the edge of a gorge, and the ground around the structure is uneven and rocky, so sturdy shoes are a good idea. There is little shade around the site, and visiting in the early morning or late afternoon is more comfortable on warm days.
Although the temple has been called the Temple of the Sibyl for centuries, historians are not certain which deity it was originally dedicated to. Some researchers believe it was actually devoted to Vesta rather than to the prophetess its name recalls.
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