Portunus temple - Rome

The Temple of Portunus, otherwise known as the “Rectangular temple” or Temple of the Virile Fortune, stands on the slopes of Palatine Hill in the area of the ancient Forum Boarium. According to current studies, the temple dates to the IV-III centuries B. C., and went through several decorative stages during the I-II centuries A. D. Between the VIII and IX century A. D., the temple was converted into a church and dedicated to Saint Mary of Egypt. The church underwent multiple transformations and was incorporated into adjacent buildings until 1921, when it was demolished, along with other buildings to create present-day via Petroselli, by the architect Munoz. This demolition exposed the structure of the ancient Roman temple below and brought to light remains of medieval frescoes that had survived subsequent transformations. The restoration of the frescoes is part of a larger restoration project, which began in 2006 and ended in 2016, funded by the World Monument Fund and the Soprintendenza Speciale ai Beni Archeologici of Rome (see sections "Stone materials and stuccoes" and "Detachment and applications").
(Photo by P. Soriani)