The Temple of Veiovis used to be located next to the Tabularium in Rome. What is left of the temple can be seen in the underground hallway connecting the two parts of the Capitoline Museums. The remains of the monument were discovered by accident in 1939, when this hallway was dug.
Temple of Veiovis Rome
History and description
The building flanking the Roman Forum on the Capitol Hill side is the Palazzo Senatorio. The part of the building that looks oldest was the Tabularium. The south-eastern corner of this building seems to recede slightly. This is where the Temple of Veiovis used to be, so the Tabularium had to be built around it.
The Tempel of Veiovis had an unusual shape, since its cella was wider (15,50m) than it was deep (8,90m). This was probably due to the lack of space. A pronaos stood in front of the temple and the area around it was covered with marble tiles. The pronaos was reached by climbing a set of stairs.
The facade stood along the street that went uphill from the Clivo Capitolino.
Veiovis was a young god of the underworld and can be compared to Jupiter. The statue depicting the God can be seen in the Galleria Lapidaria in the Capitoline Museums. Unfortunately his head and hands did not survive.
For centuries the ruins of the temple were buried underneath the Palazzo Senatorio, which has the advantage that they are relatively well-preserved. In Roman times its location was indicated as inter duos locos, which means that it stood between two holy woods on the two hills forming the Capitol Hill. Supposedly the Asylum, where Romulus provided hospitality for fugitives from other areas, also stood here. Those fugitives were the people meant to found the new city.
The temple was built as a result of a promise made by consul Lucio Furio Purpurione during the Battle of Cremona in 196 BC. Four years later Quinto Marcio Ralla would dedicate the monument.
Construction was spread out over three different stages. The final one coincided with the construction of the Tabularium.
Emperor Domitian had the temple restored in the 1st century AD. He added marble pillars and had the floor and walls of the cella decorated with colorful marble.
Opening hours
The opening hours of what is left of the Temple of Veiovis are those of the Capitolijnse Musea. These are opened every day fron 09.30 till 19.30. Last admission is one hour before closing time. Closed: January 1, May 1, December 25.
Admission
When there are no special exhibitions a ticket for the Capitolijnse Musea costs 11,50 Euros (9,50 with discount). On the first Sunday of the month admission is free for residents. When there are exhibitions the price may be higher. The Capitolini Card is a combined pass for the Capitolijnse Musea and the Centrale Montemartini. The price is 12,50 Euros (or 10,50 Euros with a discount).
Address and public transport
The address of the Musei Capitolini is Piazza del Campidoglio, 1. The nearest bus stop is: Ara Coeli/Piazza Venezia (line 30, 51, 81, 83, 85, 87, 118, 130F, 160, 170, 628, C3, N9).