Temple of Venus and Roma, Ancient Roman temple at the Forum Romanum, Italy
The Temple of Venus and Roma is an ancient Roman sanctuary at the Forum Romanum between the Basilica of Maxentius and the Colosseum. The structure displays two side-by-side cellas with apses each, surrounded by re-erected columns of grey granite.
Emperor Hadrian began construction in 121 CE on the site of Nero's former palace and possibly designed the plans himself. Antoninus Pius completed the structure in 141 CE before Emperor Maxentius rebuilt it after a fire in the early fourth century.
The temple was dedicated to Venus Felix and Roma Aeterna, whose names mirror each other: AMOR is ROMA reversed. Roma's cella faced west toward the Forum, and its walls were later incorporated into the church of Santa Francesca Romana, now housing the Antiquarium Forense. The building also serves as a platform for papal Good Friday ceremonies.
Access is through the main Roman Forum entrance, with early morning hours offering fewer crowds. The ruin sits on a raised platform and requires some steps, though most areas are visible from the main pathways.
The Colossus of Nero, a bronze statue over 35 metres tall on its base, stood where the temple was later built. Hadrian rededicated it to the Sun and had it moved with the help of twenty-four elephants.
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