Temple of Venus Erycina

The Temple of Venus Erycina is an archaeological site on Rome's Quirinal Hill, identifiable by its foundation stones and structural remains from Roman construction methods of the 2nd century BC. The ruins display the typical layout of a Roman temple with visible stone foundations and architectural elements.

The temple's founding occurred during Rome's conflict with the Ligurian people, when consul Lucius Porcius Licinius ordered its construction in 184 BC. Its dedication ceremony took place a few years later in 181 BC.

The temple honored Venus, a goddess deeply revered in Roman religious life. The site reflects how Romans integrated divine worship into the urban landscape of their capital.

The site sits on the Quirinal among ancient ruins and modern buildings, making it easier to navigate once you become familiar with the area's street layout. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear since the ground remains uneven and rocky.

A Roman coin called a denarius from 57 BC displays the temple's original facade on its reverse side, offering a rare visual record of how it once looked. This coin remains one of the few pictorial documents that preserve the building's appearance before decay.