Temple of Tellus

The Temple of Tellus was an ancient sanctuary on the Esquiline Hill dedicated to the Roman goddess of Earth and fertility. The building later served as a meeting place for Roman leaders and remained in use until the fourth century.

The temple was founded after 268 BCE when a Roman general built it following an earthquake during his campaign against the Picentes. Over the following decades, the sanctuary underwent several restorations and changes under different owners.

The temple walls displayed a detailed map of Italy that helped Romans understand their empire. This wall painting gave many people their only chance to see the shape of their own land.

The site was historically difficult to reach because it sat on a hilltop surrounded by other ancient buildings. Today only foundation remains are visible, so you need some imagination and basic knowledge of archaeology to picture the original structure.

A wealthy Roman orator later acquired parts of the temple grounds and spent considerable effort restoring it over time. His investment in the property revealed how much this location mattered to Rome's most influential figures.