Tempio del Divo Romolo

The Tempio del Divo Romolo is a well-preserved ancient monument located in the Roman Forum, near the Via Sacra. It was built in 309 CE by the emperor Maxentius and dedicated to his young son, Valerius Romulus, who died prematurely and was deified after his death. Despite its name, the temple honors Romulus the son of Maxentius, not the legendary founder of Rome.

Architecturally, the temple is notable for its circular design and its impressive bronze doors, which are original and still rotate on their ancient hinges. The building was constructed using brick-faced concrete and once featured a domed roof. Its round cella reflects late Roman architectural trends and distinguishes it from the rectangular temples that dominate earlier periods.

In the 6th century, the temple was incorporated into the Christian church of Saints Cosmas and Damian, which helped preserve it through the Middle Ages. As a result, the structure survived while many others in the Forum fell into ruin. Today, the Tempio del Divo Romolo stands as an important example of late imperial Roman architecture and illustrates the political use of deification to reinforce imperial authority and legacy.