Audio Guide Rome – The Temple of Portunus

The Temple was probably built between the 4^th and the 3^rd century BC and is dedicated to the god Portunus, protector of harbours.

The rectangular building consists of a tetra style portico and cella, raised on a high podium reached by a flight of steps, which it retains. It has a pronaos portico of four Ionic columns across and two columns deep. The columns of the portico are free-standing, while the six columns on the long sides and the four columns at the rear are engaged along the walls of the cella. It is built of tuff and travertine with a stucco surface.

The Temple of Portunus, while recalling to some elements of Greek architecture, recalled to some features of the Etruscan art, an art which gave much importance to the scenery element: the work of art should mix up perfectly with what was around.