Temple of Portunus, Roman temple in Forum Boarium, Italy
The Temple of Portunus features four Ionic columns at its front and engaged columns running along its rectangular structure built from travertine and tufa stone. The building stands on the bank of the Tiber River in the Forum Boarium, an ancient marketplace.
Built between 120 and 80 BCE, the temple honored Portunus, the Roman god of ports and harbors along the Tiber. Its transformation into a Christian church in 872 CE saved it from abandonment and destruction over the centuries.
The structure displays a blend of Roman, Etruscan, and Greek building methods that shaped how temples were constructed during the Republic. You can spot these different influences in how the columns and facade are designed.
The site is located near the Tiber in a busy area but is walkable from Rome's center, though the surrounding streets can feel crowded at times. To fully appreciate the columns and carved details, take time to walk around the structure and view it from different angles.
The building was long known as a Christian church called Saint Mary of Egypt before its original identity as a pagan temple was rediscovered. This dual history makes it a rare example of how ancient structures were adapted to serve different faiths.
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