San Nicola in Carcere

San Nicola in Carcere is a medieval church in central Rome constructed directly on and into the remains of three Roman Republican-era temples at the Forum Holitorium. The building physically integrates ancient temple columns and masonry into its plan and elevations.

The most striking feature for visitors is the visible Roman fabric - column shafts, bases and podium fragments - that appear to emerge from the church walls and the small piazza outside. The interior follows a medieval church plan adapted around those ancient elements.

A Christian church was established on the temple site in the medieval period and successive repairs and restorations adapted the ancient ruins into the church fabric; the church’s name recalls a nearby Roman prison (carcere) that once stood in the area.

San Nicola in Carcere sits near the Forum Boarium and the Theatre of Marcellus, close to the Tiber in central Rome’s historic district.

• Visible ancient fabric: Visitors can see ancient Roman columns and podiums built into the church walls and visible at street level.

What to See #

• Roman temple remains: Remains of three contiguous Roman Republican-era temples are incorporated into the church structure; columns and podium fragments are visible from the street and inside the building.