The monumental complex of ancient Roman temples in Plaza Argentina, the site where Julius Caesar is said to have been assassinated, opens to the public this Monday for the first time since its opening at the beginning of the last century.
“It was possible to discover a space that illustrates the entire history of the site and that is not limited to ancient history, but has successive stages of destruction and reconstruction over the centuries,” explained Claudio Parisi, archaeologist and Rome’s chief cultural official. heritage. .
This is a territory with more than two thousand years of history: over the centuries, the city was built layer by layer, at levels several meters above where Caesar planned his political strategies, and then was mortally wounded in 44 BC.
After years of work, starting this Monday, it will be possible to be at the very door of some of the temples whose origins date back to the 4th century BC, on a route that is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility and includes 3D images of some of the items on display. that can be played by blind people.
The complex also consists of two exhibition areas displaying sarcophagi, architectural decorations, epigraphs and two monumental heads belonging to the deities of the temples and found during excavations carried out in the area.
The four temples were discovered almost a century ago during the demolition of some ancient buildings, resulting in the discovery of one of the most important and ancient archaeological sites in Rome.
Several fires and reconstructions changed its structure until it was buried under the streets of the “eternal city” for centuries.
Despite the importance of this sacred site, it is still unclear which gods each temple was dedicated to.
Some of the most well-established hypotheses suggest that these sites were dedicated to the goddess Feronia, who ruled the forests, the nymph Juturne, a minor deity of water and springs, the lares of Permarini, who protected the Romans during their travels, and the goddess Fortuna in one of her many forms.
The renovations were financed by the Italian jeweler Bulgari with money left over from the restoration of the famous Spanish Steps in Rome, which took several years.
The facility will be open to the public Tuesday through Sunday and tickets must be purchased in advance.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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