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Roman Temple of Évora

Roman Temple of Évora (Templo Romano de Évora)
Temple of Diana
Roman Temple (Templo Romano)
Evora-RomanTemple.jpg
An oblique view of the remnants of the Temple of Diana, in the centre of historic Évora
Official name: Templo Romano de Diana
Name origin: Diana, ancient Roman goddess of the moon, the hunt, and chastity
Country  Portugal
Region Alentejo
Subregion Alentejo Central
District Évora
Municipality Évora
Location Sé e São Pedro
 - coordinates 38°34′23.016″N 7°54′28.025″W / 38.57306000°N 7.90778472°W / 38.57306000; -7.90778472Coordinates: 38°34′23.016″N 7°54′28.025″W / 38.57306000°N 7.90778472°W / 38.57306000; -7.90778472
Length 15 m (49 ft), North-South
Width 25 m (82 ft), West-East
Height 9.7 m (32 ft)
Architects unknown
Style Roman
Materials Granite, Marble
Origin 1st century A.D.
Owner Portuguese Republic
For public Public
Easiest access Largo Conde de Vila Flor
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Name Historic Centre of Évora
Year 1986 (#10)
Number 361
Criteria ii, iv
Management Instituto Gestão do Patrimonio Arquitectónico e Arqueológico
Status National Monument
Listing Decree 16 June 1910; DG136, 23 June 1910

The Roman Temple of Évora (Portuguese: Templo romano de Évora), also referred to as the Templo de Diana (albeit wrongly, after Diana, the ancient Roman goddess of the moon, the hunt, and chastity) is an ancient temple in the Portuguese city of Évora (civil parish of Sé e São Pedro). The temple is part of the historical centre of the city, which was included in the classification by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It represents one of the most significant landmarks relating to the Roman and Lusitanian civilizations of Évora and in Portuguese territory.

The temple is believed to have been constructed around the first century A.D., in honour of Augustus, who was venerated as a god during and after his rule. The temple was built in the main public square (forum) of Évora, then called Liberalitas Iulia. During the 2nd and 3rd centuries, from the traditionally accepted chronology, the temple was part of a radical redefinition of the urban city, when religious veneration and administrative polity were oriented around the central space; the structure was modified around this time.

The temple was destroyed during the 5th century by invading Germanic peoples.

During the 14th century, the temple's space served as a stronghouse for the town's castle, while Fernão Lopes described the structure as being in shambles. In 1467, King Afonso V of Portugal authorized Soeiro Mendes to remove stones from the structure for building purposes and defense. The ruins of the temple were incorporated into a tower of the Castle of Évora during the Middle Ages. The base, columns and architraves of the temple were kept embedded in the walls of the medieval building; the temple-turned-tower was used as a butcher shop from the 14th century until 1836; this new use of the temple structure helped preserve its remains from complete destruction.


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