Temple of Hadrian

The Temple of Hadrian, in Rome

The Temple of Hadrian raises its majestic ancient Corinthian columns on the Piazza di Pietra. The Rome audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this spectacular vestige of imperial Rome, integrated over the centuries into a more recent building.

The columns of the imperial temple

On the Piazza di Pietra rise eleven majestic Corinthian columns that formerly were part of the Temple of Hadrian. This building was erected in the second century in honour of the emperor Hadrian, deified after his death, as was the custom for the Roman emperors. The temple, of which these columns formed one of the long sides, was an imposing monument of imperial Rome. Over the centuries, after the fall of the Empire and the abandonment of the ancient cult, the vestiges of the temple were not destroyed but skilfully integrated into more recent constructions: the columns, high of several metres and still in place, were incorporated into the façade of a later building, creating this striking dialogue between Antiquity and the subsequent eras, so characteristic of Rome. This mixture of times, where the ancient past surfaces everywhere in the modern town, makes all the charm of the Italian capital. A spectacular imperial vestige and a witness of ancient Rome, the Temple of Hadrian is a fine stop of the discovery of the town.

What to see

You admire eleven majestic ancient Corinthian columns of the Piazza di Pietra, vestiges of the Temple of Hadrian erected in the second century in honour of the deified emperor, high of several metres and incorporated over the centuries into the façade of a later building, creating this striking dialogue between Antiquity and subsequent eras so characteristic of Rome. The Temple of Hadrian is an imperial vestige of Rome. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Temple of Hadrian lies on the Piazza di Pietra, in the heart of Rome, reachable on foot. You admire its columns in the open air from the square, freely; the building that incorporates them has its own use. You discover it during a walk in the centre.

What is the Temple of Hadrian in Rome?

A temple erected in the second century in honour of the deified emperor Hadrian; there survive eleven majestic Corinthian columns on the Piazza di Pietra, high of several metres and incorporated over the centuries into the façade of a later building, in a dialogue characteristic of Rome between Antiquity and subsequent eras.

Where is the Temple of Hadrian in Rome?

On the Piazza di Pietra, in the heart of Rome, in Italy.