Temple of Hadrian

The Temple of Hadrian stands on Piazza di Pietra, near the Pantheon, where eleven ancient Corinthian columns are built into later city buildings. Completed around AD 145 and dedicated to the deified emperor, it is a quick stop for seeing how Rome’s ancient remains sit within its modern streets. The colonnade is visible from the piazza at any time, and evening lighting gives the stone a warmer look. Timed multimedia presentations and indoor displays may also be available, so check the current schedule if you want to go inside.

The surviving colonnade

The Temple of Hadrian was completed around AD 145 under Emperor Antoninus Pius and dedicated to Hadrian after his death. The ancient monument stood in Rome’s Campus Martius, close to the Pantheon. Its modern name also reflects the association with Hadrian’s wife, Vibia Sabina.

Eleven Corinthian columns remain visible in Piazza di Pietra. They once formed part of a much larger marble-faced temple, but stone from the building was reused over the centuries. Later structures were built around the surviving colonnade, leaving the ancient columns integrated into the square’s architecture.

Seeing the temple today

You can view the columns from the piazza during a walk through central Rome. The open-air view is the main part of a short stop; the monument is not a fully excavated temple. The building beside the colonnade includes later architecture, creating a clear contrast with the ancient stone.

Timed multimedia presentations and indoor displays have also been held at the site, including projections about the temple’s history. Access and programs can vary, so check the current schedule before making plans to go inside. In the evening, illumination brings out the lines of the columns; early morning and late afternoon can suit photographs in softer light.