Sanctuary of Minerva, Roman temple complex in Breno, Italy.
The Sanctuary of Minerva is a Roman temple complex in Breno situated against a rocky rise above the Oglio River. The site includes a natural cave with flowing water inside and surrounding structures built for religious purposes.
The sanctuary began as a worship site during the Iron Age with stone barriers and paved areas for ritual fires. After Roman expansion, the grounds were transformed and received a temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva.
The temple honored the goddess Minerva with a statue inspired by Greek artistic traditions. The place served as a center for worship and religious rituals that connected the community to divine protection.
The site is located along a natural riverbank and can be reached on foot by a trail from the town of Breno. Visitors should wear appropriate footwear since the path to the ruins is uneven and can be slippery in places.
The sanctuary remained hidden for centuries until workers accidentally found it in 1986 during pipe installation near the Oglio River. This unexpected discovery made it possible to preserve an important piece of ancient history.
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