The Portico of Octavia is an ancient Roman ruin in the Jewish Quarter, between Teatro di Marcello and the surrounding streets of Sant’Angelo. Augustus rebuilt the colonnaded complex and dedicated it to his sister Octavia. Its surviving arches and Corinthian columns give a sense of the structure that once enclosed temples to Jupiter and Juno, a library and a government building. The site later became a fish market, a reminder of how Rome’s buildings have been adapted over time. Pause here to look closely at the masonry and read the information boards.
A complex rebuilt by Augustus
The Portico of Octavia stands in the Sant’Angelo district, beside Rome’s Jewish Quarter. Augustus rebuilt the complex and dedicated it to his sister Octavia. The colonnades enclosed two temples, dedicated to Jupiter and Juno, as well as a library and a government building.
The surviving arches and columns are the clearest signs of the portico’s former scale. Take time to look at the brick and marble details, then use the information boards to identify the different parts of the site.
From temples to fish market
The portico’s history continued long after its ancient use. During the Middle Ages, the complex became a fish market, a role it retained until the 19th century. That change is part of what makes the ruins meaningful: the site has served different communities and purposes over many centuries.
An adjoining church also carries a difficult history. Sermons there were imposed on the Jewish community of the district until freedom of worship was decreed in Rome in the 18th century. The portico is a short walk from Teatro di Marcello, making it easy to place the ruins within a wider walk through the area.
FAQ
Where is the Portico of Octavia?
It is in Rome’s Sant’Angelo district, beside the Jewish Quarter and between the neighborhood streets and Teatro di Marcello.
What was the Portico of Octavia used for?
The ancient complex enclosed temples to Jupiter and Juno, a library and a government building. It later housed a fish market.
When is a good time to visit the Portico of Octavia?
Go early in the day for a quieter visit.
