Temple of Janus Archaeological Site
Ancient Roman shrine dedicated to the god Janus
A small ancient Roman shrine in central Rome, frequented by history enthusiasts exploring the Forum and nearby classical sites that chart Rome's republican and imperial past.
Temple of Janus at a Glance#
Address: Near Roman Forum, Rome, Lazio, Italy
Hours: Visible from public spaces (always)
Admission: Free (ruin visible in the Roman Forum area)
About Temple of Janus#
The Temple of Janus is an ancient Roman shrine dedicated to the god Janus, traditionally situated within the civic heart of Rome. The monument is historically associated with a pair of doors whose open or closed state signalled whether Rome was at war or at peace.
The shrine dates back to Rome’s early religious traditions and was maintained and rebuilt at various times through the Republican and Imperial periods. Its symbolic role in Roman ritual and state religion is its principal significance to historians and visitors.
The temple and its remnants are located in the area of the Roman Forum, among Rome’s other central Republican and Imperial monuments.
- Doors as war/peace symbol: Associated with the Roman practice of keeping the shrine’s doors open in wartime and closed in peacetime, a distinctive ritual symbol of Roman state religion.
How to Get to Temple of Janus#
Situated adjacent to the Roman Forum; reach on foot from the Colosseum (about 10 minutes) or via Rome Metro Line B to Colosseo station.
Tips for Visiting Temple of Janus#
- Visit early or late to escape the widest tourist surge in the Roman Forum area.
- Look for graffiti and later repairs - the Temple of Janus has been touched and retouched through time.
- Combine with a stroll to the nearby Teatro di Marcello and Capitoline Hill for a compact circuit of Republican Rome remnants.
Best Time to Visit Temple of Janus#
Best spring and autumn for comfortable temperatures and manageable crowds.
Weather & Climate near Temple of Janus#
Temple of Janus's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (705 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 4° - 12° | 7° | 73 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 1.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.4h |
| February | Good | 4° - 13° | 8° | 67 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.1 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.5h |
| March | Very Good | 6° - 16° | 11° | 58 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 2.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 8° - 18° | 13° | 57 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 2.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 13.2h |
| May | Excellent | 12° - 23° | 18° | 41 mm | some cloud | 68% | 2.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 14.4h |
| June | Ideal | 16° - 27° | 22° | 30 mm | mostly sunny | 62% | 2.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 15.0h |
| July | Ideal | 19° - 30° | 25° | 15 mm | clear | 55% | 2.3 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.7h |
| August | Ideal | 19° - 30° | 25° | 33 mm | clear | 55% | 2.2 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.7h |
| September | Excellent | 16° - 27° | 21° | 64 mm | mostly sunny | 64% | 2.0 m/s | 1.2 high | 12.3h |
| October | Very Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 88 mm | some cloud | 73% | 1.8 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 96 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 1.9 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
| December | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 8° | 83 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.1 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.1h |
