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The Temple of
Vesta
Rome, Lazio, Italy

The Temple of Vesta was an Ancient

Roman shrine now found on the
Roman Forum.

Peta Stamper Facebook

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14 Jun 2021

Image Credit: Shutterstock

About The Temple of Vesta

The Temple of Vesta was an ancient Roman

shrine dedicated to the goddess of the
hearth, the remains of which are found in the
southeast of the Roman Forum beside the
Atrium Vestae.

Serving as the temple of the Vestal Virgins,

the priestesses dedicated to Vesta, the
Temple of Vesta housed an eternal flame
which represented the everlasting nature of
the Roman state. If the flame were
extinguished, this would indicate doom for
Rome.

The Temple of Vesta history

The Temple of Vesta was first built by Numa

Pompilius – Rome’s second king – who also
built the original Regia and Atrium Vestae
within the Roman Forum, where the Vestal
Virgins lived. Pompilius founded the order of
Vestals, dedicated to the patron goddess of
the domestic hearth and as such, the Virgins
were charged with growing sacred grain to
burn at the temple hearth.

The Vestal Virgins were freeborn, aristocratic

women who were sworn to celibacy in an
oath lasting 30 years. Other Roman women
would remain chaste until marriage but were
then expected to have children. If a Vestal
Virgin were to have sex (punishable by death)
or the hearth flame go out, it would upset the
relationship between Rome and the gods,
leading to disaster.

Unlike other temples, the Temple of Vesta

would have been a circular structure facing
east (towards the sun, another hearth) rather
than rectangular. The shape was meant to
reflect the simple early huts. The Temple of
Vesta burned down several times, including in
the Great Fire of Rome.

Theodosius I finally extinguished the sacred

flame in 394 AD. By this time Christianity had
become prominent in the empire.

In 1549, the Temple of Vesta was destroyed

and its marble was used to build churches
and papal palaces. We know what the temple
looked like from coins and art, and it was not
until the 1930s that what remained was
partially reconstructed.

The Temple of Vesta today

Today, the remains of the Temple of Vesta hint

at its former grandeur, made up of 3 main
standing columns and part of a fourth with
steps leading up to it. However, while little
remains of the temple there is a detailed floor
plan at the forum, and it is not hard to picture
the central flame under an open roof to allow
smoke out (and spread fire).

Getting to The Temple of Vesta

Easily found by foot within the forum, via

public transport take Metro line B to
Colosseo. From Termini it is about a 5 minute
journey. Or via the bus, plenty of lines stop at
Piazza del Colosseo including 40, 51, 60, 75,
81, 175 and 204.

Featured In

Roman Temples

Discover incredible Roman temples you can

still visit today, from Baalbek to the Pantheon
and more, includes an interactive map of
surviving temples from ancient rome.

NAME

The Temple of Vesta

ALTERNATIVE NAME

Aedes Vesta

TIMELINE

Ancient Rome

PLACE

Italy

BUILDING CATEGORY

Temple

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