Horti Pallantiani, Archaeological site near Porta Maggiore, Rome, Italy.
The Horti Pallantiani is an archaeological site on the Esquiline Hill in Rome showing remains of an ancient private garden. The excavations reveal water pools, terrace foundations, column remnants, and building layouts that spread across the property.
The garden was built in the 1st century and belonged to Pallas, an influential freedman of Emperor Claudius. In 62 CE, Emperor Nero had him killed to claim the valuable properties for imperial use.
The name comes from Pallas, a wealthy freedman who owned the property. The ruins show how wealthy Romans displayed their power and taste through gardens decorated with temples, fountains, and terraced levels.
The site is accessible through guided tours that explain the garden layout and remaining structures. Wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for uneven ground, as parts of the excavation are still exposed.
This site once held the Temple of Minerva Medica, a ten-sided temple with a large dome showing Roman engineering skill. The temple was so impressive that it influenced later Christian churches and Renaissance artworks.
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