Temple of Jupiter Custos

The Temple of Jupiter Custos is a Roman sanctuary on Capitoline Hill featuring white marble columns arranged on a raised platform accessed by broad stone steps. The interior housed three divine figures in a central chamber that formed the heart of the complex.

Construction began in 509 BC as one of Rome's earliest major temples, blending Etruscan and Greek architectural traditions. The structure underwent significant modifications over centuries, reflecting changing tastes and religious practices in the Roman world.

The temple served as Rome's spiritual center, where priests made offerings and citizens gathered to seek the god's favor before major decisions. It was a place where ordinary people and officials alike came to show respect to the divine.

The remaining stone foundations and column fragments can be visited as part of a tour from the Capitoline Museums on the hill. The site is accessible to those exploring the hilltop, offering a view of how Roman temples relate to the surrounding landscape.

The roof was once covered with gold sheets and topped with a bronze chariot, a spectacular feature renewed in 296 BC by the same craftsmen who created the famous Capitoline Wolf. This golden decoration made it one of Rome's most dazzling buildings, visible from across the city.