/8203175365_bf9f205d1d_b.jpg)
La Borsa, Piazza di Pietra
Bus: 117, 119, 492
The Temple of Hadrian is an ancient Roman
building, built on the orders of the Roman Emperor Hadrian at the
beginning of the 2nd century AD. This temple honors Emperor Hadrian
as a god and was dedicated to his son and successor Antoninus Pius
in 145 AD. The remains of the temple are visible on the south side
of Piazza di Pietra, built into the building of the 17th century. It
was originally papal customs, completed by Carlo Fontana and his son
in the 1690s. Today the building houses the Roman Stock Exchange (La
Borsa). Eleven 49-foot-tall marble Corinthian columns based on
Peperinsky stone, a volcanic rock mined from the Alban hills south
of Rome. Columns of the temple of Adrian decorated the northern
flank of the temple, surrounding its inner shrine, cella.
A
number of reliefs of the Temple of Hadrian, representing the
conquered Roman provinces, are now in the courtyard of the Palazzo
dei Conservatory. They reflect mainly the peaceful foreign policy of
the reign of Emperor Hadrian. Theatrical situation, and the playful
forms of its windows, balconies and balusters mark the area as one
of the very interesting groups of buildings. Along with the Palazzo
Doria Pamphilus (1731), the facade of La Maddalena (1735) and the
aristocratic Spanish Staircase (1723), it refers to the moment when
the luxurious Roman Rococo defeated conservative classicism.
Hadrian died in 138 CE at Baiae and was deified shortly afterward, a
standard practice for popular emperors. His body was initially placed in
the gardens of his estate before transfer to his grand mausoleum (now
Castel Sant’Angelo). Antoninus Pius, who had a strong sense of filial
duty and sought to legitimize his rule through connection to Hadrian,
completed and dedicated the temple about seven years later.
Some
scholars suggest construction may have begun late in Hadrian’s reign,
possibly intended initially (or jointly) for his deified wife Vibia
Sabina, who died and was deified in 136/137 CE. However, the project was
largely executed and finished under Antoninus Pius as part of his
completion of several Hadrianic projects. The temple was one of the key
dynastic monuments honoring the Nerva-Antonine line in the increasingly
monumentalized Campus Martius.
It stood in Regio IX (Circus
Flaminius) near the Pantheon, the Temple of Matidia (dedicated by
Hadrian to his mother-in-law), the Column of Marcus Aurelius, and the
Baths of Alexander Severus. The area was a hub for imperial
commemoration, including ustrina (funeral pyre sites) and honorific
columns.
Post-Antique History and Survival
Like many pagan
temples, the Hadrianeum fell into disuse after the Christianization of
the empire and was likely stripped of valuables. The structure gradually
decayed, with materials reused elsewhere. By the Middle Ages, much of it
had vanished, but the north side (11 of the original 13 columns plus
part of the cella wall) survived remarkably intact, possibly because it
was incorporated into later inhabited or functional spaces.
In 1695,
under Pope Innocent XII, architect Carlo Fontana incorporated the
surviving colonnade and cella wall into the Palazzo della Dogana di
Terra (customs house). The piazza around it became known as Piazza di
Pietra ("Square of Stone") due to the visible ancient remains. In 1831,
it served as the Roman Stock Exchange (Borsa), and since 1874 it has
housed the Rome Chamber of Commerce. The interior of the cella is now
used for conferences and events.
Excavations in the 19th–20th
centuries (notably from 1878 onward) revealed the podium, precinct
walls, and additional fragments. The lower ground level of the ancient
temple (about 5 meters below the modern piazza) has been exposed in
places. In 2022, the Chamber of Commerce officially expanded the name to
include Vibia Sabina and installed immersive projections (Hadrianeum)
for visitors.
Significance
The Temple of Hadrian was not only
a religious site for the imperial cult but also a political statement:
it reinforced Antoninus Pius’ legitimacy, celebrated Hadrian’s extensive
travels and provincial administration, and contributed to the monumental
reshaping of the Campus Martius into an imperial showcase. Its partial
survival and integration into a modern building make it a striking
example of Rome’s layered urban history—ancient grandeur repurposed for
contemporary use.
Overall Plan and Layout
The temple was a large peripteral
structure (surrounded by a single row of free-standing columns on all
sides) built on a high podium, following traditional Roman temple
conventions but with Hadrianic stylistic flourishes.
Dimensions
and Colonnade: It was octastyle (eight columns across the front façade)
with 13 columns along each long side (total peristyle columns around
40+). The overall footprint was substantial for the period, emphasizing
imperial grandeur.
Orientation: It faced east toward the Via Lata
(modern Via del Corso), approached by a wide flight of stairs covering
the eastern end, leading to a deep pronaos (porch) of three bays.
Cella: The inner chamber (cella or naos) was roughly square rather than
the more common rectangular form. It was non-apsidal and lined
internally with engaged (attached) columns. The cella was covered by a
coffered concrete barrel vault, with provisions for marble paneling.
Precinct: The temple sat within a larger rectangular colonnaded
enclosure (portico) featuring giallo antico (yellow Numidian marble)
columns. This precinct included decorative elements and opened onto the
Via Lata via a triumphal arch.
The design reflects a brief
revival of the peripteral style in Rome during the Hadrianic/early
Antonine period, also seen in the Temple of Venus and Roma.
Columns and Order
The temple used the Corinthian order, the most
ornate and favored in imperial Roman architecture for its lavish
decoration.
Columns: Fluted, made primarily of Proconnesian marble
(from northwestern Turkey) with distinctive grey-and-white horizontal
banding. Each column measured approximately 1.44 meters in diameter and
14.8–15 meters in height (including base and capital). Some colonnade
columns used giallo antico marble.
Capitals: Richly carved Corinthian
capitals with acanthus leaves, typical of the period but showing
Asiatic/Pergamene influences in their rich ornamentation.
Stylobate/Podium: The columns and cella stood on a lofty stylobate atop
a high podium, originally faced with white marble. The podium’s height
is evident today, as the ancient ground level is about 5 meters below
the modern Piazza di Pietra.
Entablature and Upper Elements
The entablature (the horizontal structure above the columns) was richly
decorated:
Architrave: Two-stepped profile, often adorned with
garlands in swags.
Frieze: Pulvinated (convex/bolster-shaped),
featuring elaborate acanthus candelabra motifs intertwined with
reversing S-spirals (differing from the flatter frieze of the Temple of
Venus and Roma).
Cornice: Supported by plain consoles rather than
modillions; featured a sima with palmettes and lion’s heads. The lower
original sections survive, while upper parts are known from Renaissance
drawings and have been partially restored in stucco (with some
inconsistencies in modern restoration).
The overall entablature
profile shows strong similarities to the Temple of Venus and Roma,
suggesting possible shared architects or workshops.
Decorative
Program
The temple was highly ornate, with nearly every surface
decorated:
Podium Reliefs: The stylobate and intercolumnar spaces
featured marble relief panels. Vertical plinths under columns showed
personifications of Roman provinces (in high relief, emphasizing
Hadrian’s administrative rather than purely militaristic legacy).
Intercolumnar panels depicted military trophies, weapons, and armor.
Many of these “Province” reliefs (about 24 known) survive in museums
like the Capitoline Museums and National Roman Museum.
Interior:
Engaged columns, pilasters, and battle-trophy motifs between columns in
the cella. The barrel vault was coffered and prepared for marble lining.
Color and Materials: Like most Roman temples, it was polychrome—vibrant
with colored marbles (white, grey-banded, yellow), painted elements, and
gilding. The exterior was clad in marble revetment (the peperino tufa
cella wall behind the colonnade was left rough for this purpose, though
some facing was never completed).
Construction Techniques and
Materials
Core: Concrete for the vault and structural elements;
peperino tufa for the cella walls.
Marbles: Proconnesian (columns),
giallo antico (some columns/paving), white marble facings.
Techniques: High-quality ashlar masonry, metal clamps for joining
elements, and advanced vaulting. The design shows eclectic influences:
traditional Roman podium + Greek peripteral form + Hellenistic/Asiatic
decorative richness.
Current Remains
Today, the northeastern
side survives, incorporated into the 17th–19th century Palazzo della
Borsa (now Rome’s Chamber of Commerce) in Piazza di Pietra. Eleven
fluted Corinthian columns with bases, capitals, and part of the
entablature are visible, along with a section of the cella wall
(pockmarked from removed marble revetment). Excavations have revealed
the podium and ancient street level.
Visiting Tips: Practical Information
Location: Piazza di Pietra,
in the historic center (rione Colonna). It's a 2-minute walk from the
Pantheon (Piazza della Rotonda) via a small alley. Extremely central and
easy to combine with other sites.
Access: The exterior colonnade and
piazza are free and accessible 24/7. You can walk around, admire the
columns up close, and take photos anytime. The site is wheelchair- and
stroller-friendly in the square.
Inside the Temple: The modern
building (Chamber of Commerce) incorporates the ancient cella. Full
public entry is limited, but doors sometimes open for glimpses. The
highlight is the Hadrianeum immersive projection experience (a 20-22
minute multimedia show about Rome's history through the centuries, with
projections creating the illusion of flying over ancient and modern
Rome).Current schedule (as of recent info; confirm on-site or via
Chamber of Commerce site): Monday to Friday, shows roughly every 45
minutes from around 11 AM to 7 PM (e.g., starting times like 11:15,
12:00, etc.). Closed weekends. Entry is inexpensive (around €5, free for
kids) or sometimes free—check the official site (rm.camcom.it) or ask
locally. No advance booking typically needed; arrive 5-10 minutes early.
Best Time to Visit:
Daytime: Morning or late afternoon to avoid
harsh midday sun (columns can cast great shadows). Less crowded than the
Pantheon.
Night: Highly recommended—the columns are beautifully
illuminated, creating a dramatic atmosphere. Perfect for photos.
Avoid peak summer midday heat if possible.
How Long to Spend:
15-30 minutes for the exterior; add 30-45 minutes if doing the immersive
show. It's a quick, rewarding stop rather than a full morning activity.
What to See and Experience
The towering columns and surviving
frieze/architrave.
Views from the piazza railings down to the ancient
street level.
The contrast between ancient ruins and the modern
building seamlessly integrated around them.
If available, the
immersive show inside offers context on Hadrian's era and Rome's
evolution.
Nearby Attractions and Itinerary Ideas
This fits
perfectly into a central Rome walk:
Pantheon (2 min away) — Combine
for a "Hadrian double feature" (he rebuilt the Pantheon).
Trevi
Fountain (10-15 min walk).
Piazza Colonna and the Column of Marcus
Aurelius.
Galleria Colonna or other nearby palaces.
Coffee break
at Gran Caffè La Caffettiera opposite the temple—great outdoor seating
with direct views.
A pleasant loop: Pantheon → Temple of Hadrian →
Trevi → back through historic streets.
Practical Tips
Tickets:
Exterior is free. No need for major advance booking unless joining a
guided tour.
Guided Tours: Many Pantheon tours include a stop here.
Good for deeper history.
Crowds: Much quieter than major sites—ideal
if you want a break from lines.
Photography: Best light in the
morning or at night. Wide-angle lens helpful for the tall columns.
Accessibility: Piazza is flat and open. Inside experience may have
steps.
What to Bring: Comfortable shoes (cobblestones nearby), water,
camera. Dress modestly if planning to enter any churches nearby.
Weather: Exposed in the piazza, so sun protection or umbrella in bad
weather.
Is It Worth It? Yes, especially if you like ancient
architecture, Hadrian's legacy, or less-touristy spots. Quick visitors
might skip it for bigger hits like the Colosseum, but it's a gem for
history enthusiasts or those with more time.