Forum Boarium

You can’t walk two steps in Rome without stumbling upon a piece of ancient history. After you cross the piazza, you’ll find yourself in the ancient Forum Boarium, the Old Ox Market. It’s right by Rome’s ancient river port, where ships would dock to unload goods for the livestock market and the nearby vegetable market. Today, you can see two temples here. Both are very well-preserved, having been converted into churches in the Middle Ages. The round one, built in the 2nd century BC, features 20 Corinthian columns. It’s actually the oldest marble monument in Rome. It’s dedicated to Hercules, son of Zeus and revered hero of Greek mythology. Inside, you’ll find a fresco depicting the Virgin and Child – a relic of its days as a church. The rectangular one is dedicated to Portunus, god of rivers and ports. It is thought to have been built around the 4th century BC, but has since been rebuilt and renovated several times. It’s a fine example of ancient Roman architecture and has inspired many architects since the Renaissance. It was also converted into a church in the Middle Ages, and inside you’ll find beautiful frescoes recounting the life of the Virgin Mary as told in the Gospels.