Temple of Minerva, Roman temple and archaeological site in Marano di Valpolicella, Italy.
The Temple of Minerva sits on Mount Castellon as a Roman religious building with a central chamber and adjoining galleries framed by Doric columns. The main room measures roughly 8 by 7 meters and shows evidence of colorful wall paintings that once covered its surfaces.
This temple was built between the 2nd and 1st century BCE, replacing an older sacred site that had existed for centuries before. The earlier worship place featured ritual fires before Romans constructed the stone structure we see today.
This place served as a religious center where people gathered to honor Minerva through offerings and rituals. The painted decorations suggest worshippers made journeys here to participate in sacred ceremonies.
This location is accessible year-round but requires proper footwear since it sits on a hillside with a hiking approach. Visitors should allow extra time for the climb and bring weather-appropriate clothing for changing mountain conditions.
Archaeologists found over 100 bronze rings buried in the soil, left behind by peoples who arrived long before the Romans. These objects suggest that Rhaetian and Celtic groups viewed this mountain crossing as a sacred place for their own religious traditions.
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