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 sanctuary was named after Venus Felix, goddess of divine fortune, and Roma Aeterna, the embodiment of the eternal city, who faced back to back. Visitors today can see the original coffered ceilings inside the eastern cella, which was converted into a church during the Byzantine period.
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.
Hadrian originally moved the statue of Nero only a short distance to the entrance of the Colosseum. The transport required a special wooden scaffold pulled by the elephants while the statue remained upright.
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