In the surrounding of the town of Tivoli, the ancient Tibur, there is a very interesting archeological site, even if less known than other important historical places nearby, like Villa d’Este, Villa Gregoriana or Villa Adriana (the latter was the residence of the Emperor Hadrian). This place is the Temple of Hercules Victor, built around the 2nd century BC. The Temple, or Sanctuary, was probably built on an older sacred place near the Anio river and just off the Town’s walls. The sacred area crossed the initial stretch of via Tiburtina, the road bringing to Rome, a part of which was covered by the Sanctuary so as to form a tunnel, called “via tecta” (“covered street”). The Sanctuary occupied an area of about 3,000 square meters and included a theatre too.
The Temple was progressively abandoned and the sacred area was used for different purposes: source of building materials, agriculture, livestock farming etc.. In the 13th century AD, two Christian monasteries were established on the site. Later, in the beginning of 17th century, the Roman Papal State set up an arms factory in the area. This industrial vocation of the area lasted until few decades ago, with the establishment, across the years, of several factories and of a hydroelectric station. Nowadays, the remains of the modern industrial buildings live together with the ancient Roman ruins.
Near the Hercules’ Temple, other archeological remains can be admired, like the so-called Temple of the “Tosse”, built in the 4th century AD, which probably was not even a temple but a monumental atrium of a country villa.
When I visited the archeological site, few days ago, in the Antiquarium there was an exhibition of ancient Roman finds dealing with the classical myth of Niobe.
Here below some pictures of the exhibition together with some photos of the archeological remains of the area.
All photos are mine unless stated otherwise.
m.v.
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