Temple of Venus and Roma Religious Site

Address: Near the Colosseum and Roman Forum, Piazza del Colosseo, 00184 Rome, Italy

Website: https://parcocolosseo.it/

Hours: Part of the archaeological park’s seasonal hours (generally 8:30am-7:00pm; check the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo site)

Admission: Included in Colosseum/Forum/Palatine ticket (approx. €16)

The Temple of Venus and Roma is an imperial Roman temple on the eastern edge of the Roman Forum, designed by Emperor Hadrian in the early 2nd century CE. It was dedicated to the goddesses Venus Felix and Roma Aeterna and was notable for its monumental scale.

The temple comprised twin cellae and faced the Forum and the nearby Colosseum, forming part of the grand imperial architectural programme. Its large footprint and paired internal chambers made it one of the most prominent religious buildings of imperial Rome.

Construction is associated with Hadrian and was completed in the first half of the 2nd century CE; the temple saw repairs and partial reconstructions in later centuries. Substantial archaeological remains survive at ground level and are visible to visitors exploring the Forum and Colosseum area.

The temple stands between the Roman Forum and the Colosseum in central Rome, on the Velian Hill, and is accessible as part of the major archaeological circuit through Rome’s ancient centre.

• Builder and date: Constructed under Emperor Hadrian in the early 2nd century CE and dedicated to Venus and Roma, it was among the largest temples in ancient Rome.

Reached from the Colosseum and Roman Forum entrances; nearest metro Colosseo (Line B) and multiple bus routes serve the area.

• The Temple of Venus and Roma is adjacent to the Colosseum - find a viewpoint on the Palatine for the best perspectives.
• Because the site is open-air, visit early to avoid heat and the largest tour groups.
• Read up on Hadrian's architectural reforms - the temple reflects imperial ambition and a 2nd-century reinterpretation of urban space.