Temple of Minerva, Ancient Roman temple in Assisi, Italy
The Temple of Minerva is a Roman building from the first century BC located on a central square in Assisi. The front displays six Corinthian columns supporting an ornate architrave and pediment, while the rear section now lies beneath a medieval church.
The structure was built when Roman rule was established in the region and Assisi was a prosperous city on the empire's edge. After Rome's collapse, it was repurposed during the Middle Ages and eventually transformed into a Christian church.
The temple was dedicated to the goddess Minerva and shows through its remains the religious importance this place held for ancient Assisi. Today traces of this old worship can still be seen in the stones and foundations visible beneath the modern church.
The building sits centrally in town and is easily reached on foot, with the columns clearly visible from outside. Visitors can view the facade at any time, but seeing the interior where the ancient foundations lie requires visiting during church hours.
The ancient stones were quarried multiple times over the centuries and reused elsewhere, meaning only portions of the original structure remain intact. This extensive remodeling during medieval times is depicted in frescoes by artists like Giotto, who documented the site's transformation.
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