Temple of Diana. Imperial Cult Temple in Merida, Extremadura, Spain
In reality, this is an Imperial Cult Temple located at the bottom of a big square which was partially leveled, as some areas house the remains of a cryptoportico. In terms of the square, marble slabs from its paving still remain, as well as the walls that enclosed it and the two ponds that flanked the building. The Temple, rectangular in shape, stands on a high podium of granite that culminates in pieces of trim. Atop it rests the colonnade whose granite drums were plastered and painted. This colonnade surrounds the entire temple. Its front, at the south, has six columns over which the tympanum rested. A staircase, of which only the substructure remains, provided access to the cella. The altar may have been located on an exedra that divided the stairway. It was probably built while still under the power of Augustus. Its exceptional state of preservation is because, for centuries, the temple served as the foundation and shell of the renaissance palace of the Count of los Corbos, some parts of which are still preserved.
Size: 3314px × 5179px
Location: Mérida, Spain
Photo credit: © WHPics / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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