The highlights of this stupendous site are its three temples: The Temple of Jupiter , completed around 60 AD; the Temple of Bacchus , known in Roman times as the ‘small temple’ and completed around 150 AD; and the much smaller Temple of Venus , opposite the main temple complex.
The Temple of Jupiter was built on an immense substructure over 90m long, and was approached by another monumental staircase that rose high above the surrounding buildings. It consisted of a cellar in which the statue of the god was housed and a surrounding portico of 10 columns along the façade and 19 columns along the side, making for 54 columns in all. These columns are the largest in the world – 22.9m high with a girth of 2.2m. Today only six of these remain standing with the architrave still in position.
The Temple of Bacchus is often described as the the most beautifully decorated temple in the Roman world, and is in an excellent state of preservation. The portico has eight columns along the façade and 15 along the sides, supporting a rich entablature and a ceiling of curved stone that is decorated with vivid scenes: Mars; a winged Victory; Diana taking an arrow from her quiver; Tyche with a cornucopia; Vulcan with his hammer; Bacchus; and Ceres holding a sheaf of corn.
Near the main ruins is the exquisite Temple of Venus, a circular building with fluted columns. During the early Christian era this was turned into a basilica and dedicated to St Barbara (who joined the saintly ranks when her pagan father tried to kill her for converting to Christianity – he got his comeuppance when a bolt of lightning reduced him to a smouldering heap).
