Area archeologica La Cuma, Roman sanctuary ruins in Monte Rinaldo, Italy.
Area archeologica La Cuma is a Roman sanctuary featuring temples and columned porticos arranged on artificial terraces carved into the hillside. The structures follow classical building principles with both Ionic and Doric column designs.
The sanctuary was founded in the mid-2nd century BC and remained in use until the first half of the 1st century BC. Its long period of activity demonstrates the enduring importance of this site to the local population.
The site reveals evidence of religious devotion that drew people from surrounding areas over many generations. The terracotta decorations discovered here show how deities were honored with great care and attention.
The site sits on elevated terrain and requires some walking to explore fully. It helps to visit the nearby museum first to understand the history and discoveries before seeing the remains on location.
The temple complex follows the proportional rules described by the ancient architect Vitruvius in his writings on classical buildings. This makes the site a rare real-world example of those architectural principles being put into practice.
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