Collezione Pompei
The Temple of Apollo
The archaeological site of the Pompeii excavations, not far from the Gulf of Naples, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Pompeii, once a thriving Roman city, was covered by about six meters of ash and pumice during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.
The Temple of Apollo is considered one of the main religious centers of Pompeii and one of the oldest buildings in the city. It was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD and can be accessed from the Via Marina.
Facts & Trivia
The temple itself, inside, contains the cella, the dwelling place of the god where the omphalos, the symbol of the world’s navel venerated in Delphi at the sanctuary of Apollo, is located. The cult of Apollo was introduced by the Greek colony of Cumae, famous for its oracle. It was the most widespread cult, but during the Augustan period, it lost prestige in favor of the cult of Jupiter.