Shrine of Hercules Curinus, Archaeological site in Sulmona, Italy.
The Shrine of Hercules Curinus is a Roman sanctuary in Sulmona built with elaborate terracing across multiple levels. It contains fourteen vaulted rooms and a large platform structure that served as a major religious center for the region.
The sanctuary was built by the Peligni people and saw its greatest expansion following a major conflict in 89 BC. It remained in use through the early Christian period, showing the enduring continuity of religious practice at this location.
The shrine honored a Roman deity particularly revered by shepherds and travelers, whose cult held deep meaning for the local population. Visitors can still sense this devotion through the layout and scale of the structures, which reveal how central this place was to people's spiritual lives.
The site is open year-round and rewards several hours of exploration, as the scattered ruins offer plenty of room to wander. Sturdy footwear is advisable since the terrain is uneven and steep paths connect the different terrace levels.
A bronze statue discovered here was once donated by a wealthy merchant and now resides in a museum in a neighboring city. This reveals how important patrons and affluent individuals honored this location with precious gifts.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
