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Photo: Pascal Radigue, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Archaeological site
Temple of Trajan
Archaeological site in Rome, Italy
- Within the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura”
At a glance
- Type
- Archaeological site
- Coordinates
- 41°53′44″ N, 12°29′09″ E
History and description
The Temple of Trajan was a Roman temple dedicated to the emperor Trajan and his wife Plotina after his deification by the Roman Senate. It was built in the Forum of Trajan (Rome), by Trajan's adoptive son and successor Hadrian, between 125 A.D. and 138 A.D. The architect was Apollodorus of Damascus.
Site
Its exact site within the Forum is unknown. It had been assumed it was on the site of Palazzo Valentini and that this palazzo had reused stone from the temple in its construction, but excavation has found no trace of a temple, only remains of insulae with shallower foundations than those needed for a temple. This possibly puts the temple at the centre of the forum courtyard, looking towards the forum of Augustus or elsewhere (some have suggested the two rooms in the Library, without evidence) and not in a northern position as was previously assumed.
History
The temple's dedicatory inscription survives in the Vatican Museums. An enormous monolithic granite column (2m in diameter) with a white marble capital (2.12m high on its own) survives near Trajan's Column and perhaps comes from the temple. Among Hadrian's many buildings, it was only this one to which he wished to affix his name. The temple was probably enormous in dimensions and surrounded by a portico like the temple of Hadrian. However, Trajan was not buried in the temple but in the triumphal column's base.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Temple of Trajan».
Photos
Getting there
Roma TerminiTrain, nearest
1.5 km as the crow flies
Temple of Trajan
Aeroporto di Roma-Ciampino13.9 km
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore archaeological sites in Lazio
- Free 1st Sunday
- Free 1st Sunday
- UNESCO
Frequently asked questions
Where is Temple of Trajan?
Temple of Trajan is in Rome, in the province of Roma (Lazio), Italy. GPS coordinates: 41.89556, 12.48583.
What else is there to see near Temple of Trajan?
Nearby you’ll find: Trajan's Forum (0 m away), Trajan's Market (0 m away), Museo dei Fori Imperiali (100 m away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 2 photos
- Plan Rome caen Forum Trajan — Pascal Radigue, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Planrome2b — Cassius Ahenobarbus, CC BY-SA 3.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences