Temple of Minerva Medica

The Temple of Minerva Medica in Rome is an ancient Roman building that has attracted the interest of numerous scholars over the centuries.

The Temple of Minerva Medica (Nymphaeum of the Horti Liciniani) is an ancient Roman building located in Rome, Italy. Contrary to its name, it was never a temple to the goddess Minerva, but rather a bathhouse or round hall, probably part of a larger bath complex.

The name “Minerva Medica” was given to the building during the Renaissance, but its original function is still a matter of debate among scholars. Some believe it was part of a thermal complex, while others suggest it may have been a reading room or a rotunda of a private villa.

The building has a circular plan and is characterised by a dome, which testifies to the architectural skill of the Romans in the use of concrete.
The interior walls were formerly decorated with porphyry slabs and mosaics on the floor and walls, while the vault was covered with mosaics. 17th-century drawings show them still in good condition. The building had nine semicircular niches and a door on the ground floor, and ten windows above.

Located in the Esquilino district, near Termini Station, the Temple of Minerva Medica has been the subject of archaeological studies and restorations over the centuries. Today, part of the ruins can be visited and are a testimony to the ancient greatness of Rome.