The Temple of Peace in Rome, which used to be called the Forum of Peace in the times of the Roman Empire, is located in the Via dei Fori Imperiali in Rome. Although initially meant as a temple (Tempio della Pace), it developed into the third one of the Fori Imperiali.
A brief history of the Forum of Peace in Rome
The Tempio della Pace was built by Emperor Vespasian between 71 and 75 AD. The emperor’s aim was to celebrate the victory of the Romans in Judea in 70 AD.
The temple held the spoils of war brought back from the Temple of Jerusalem. These included the seven-armed golden candlestick and the silver trumpets depicted on the Arch of Titus.
Multiple works of art brought by Nero from the East were also placed in the “Temple of Peace”. These had previously been used to decorate his Domus Aurea.
It was one of the Fori Imperiali and was a built around a square, which had a portico on three sides and the actual temple on the fourth one. Both the northern and southern sides of the portico contained rectangular exedras. One of these survived and can still be seen under the Torre dei Conti.
Four large halls, two on either side of the temple, probably contained libraries. During the 6th century one of these halls was transformed into the Chiesa dei Santi Cosma and Damiano.
The adjacent hall, which was made of brickwork, contained the Forma Urbis Romae, a map of Rome in the time of Septimius Severus, which was engraved on plates of marble.
Recent excavations show that the central part of the Forum used to contain a garden with some ornamental fountains.
Septimius Severus had the Forum restored after it had burnt down in 192, during Commodus‘ reign. After having been damaged again, the Forum of Peace was abandoned in the 5th century and during the middle ages it was even used as a burial ground.
Via del Tempio di Pace
The Via del Tempio della Pace connects the Via dei Fori Imperiali to the Via del Colosseo. Before the Via dei Fori Imperiali (at the time called Via dell’Impero) was constructed, the street led all the way to the monument that gave it its name. The arch at the beginning of the street was also constructed at the time.
What to know before your visit
The entrance to the Fori Imperiali is near Trajan’s Column. Metro: Colosseo. The monument is always visible from the Via dei Fori Imperiali. Name in Italian: Foro della Pace or Tempio della Pace. The monument is partly located in the Monti district. Visit the official Colosseum/Forum/Palatino website for tickets and reservations. The Fori Imperiali are free on the First sunday of every month.
Foro della Pace – Rome
Sources
- Touring Club Italiano – L’Italia – Roma.
- Photos are my own, except where otherwise indicated.
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