Dating back to the 1st century BC and is the most famous monument of ancient Tibur. The temple was dedicated to the goddess Vesta, the virgin goddess of hearth, home, and family and built for the Vestal Virgins to dwell in as they honour their Virgin Goddess.

When was the Temple of Vesta destroyed?

In 1549, the Temple of Vesta was destroyed and its marble was used to build churches and papal palaces.

What was inside the Temple of Vesta?

Containing the sacred fire and the Palladium, an effigy of Athene (Minerva) believed to have been brought by Aeneas from Troy, this ancient temple was built in imitation of a primitive round hut, its hearth fire symbolizing the perpetuity of the Roman State.