Rome, Italy

Roman Forum: Temple of Divus Romulus

The Temple of Romulus is another rare example of a well-preserved Roman monument. It's intact because it was turned into the entrance to the Church of Saints Cosma and Damiano, still functioning today.

And, though a bit confusing, it's not dedicated to the founder of Rome but to the son of the emperor Maxentius, who died very young in the 4th century AD.

The semicircular facade was changed during the time of emperor Constantine, who established the religion of the Penati, the gods who protected home and family together with the goddess Vesta. Here, too, the entrance door is far above street level. The bronze door is original and supposedly the ancient key mechanism still works!