Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Assisi Temple of Minerva

Temple of Minerva

What appears to be an ancient Roman temple is actually a Catholic church.

Assisi, Italy

Added By
StepYoshi
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Temple of Minerva   Superchilum
Minervas Temple in November   Oloid23 / Atlas Obscura User
Temple of Minerva   Georges Jansoone
Temple of Minerva   Fantasy
Temple of Minerva   Chris Light
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Temple of Minerva in the town of Assisi, in Umbria, appears to be a perfectly preserved example of a Roman temple from the outside, but inside is home to a Catholic church.

The Roman building was named during the 1st-century BCE, probably as part of the town's forum. The structure is a typical Roman temple with six tall Corinthians columns supporting the architrave in the façade. The temple was erroneously attributed to Minerva because of a female statue located inside the building, but later studies found a dedication stone to Hercules.

During the Early Middle Ages, the cella of the temple was transformed into a church and later into dwellings and workshops. During the 13th-century, the temple became the city hall of Assisi, which included a tribunal and a jail.

In 1539, at the behest of Pope Paul III, the temple was finally transformed into a Catholic church known as Santa Maria sopra Minerva. These restoration works went on into the 17th-century, however, the cella was completely demolished and the building was reworked in a Baroque style. A bell tower known as Torre del Popolo (Tower of the People) was also added.

Related Tags

Temples History & Culture Architecture Churches Sacred Spaces
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

StepYoshi

Edited By

Martin, pretzled, Oloid23, The InnerLoopers

  • Martin
  • pretzled
  • Oloid23
  • The InnerLoopers

Published

December 9, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempio_di_Minerva_(Assisi)
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Minerva,_Assisi
Temple of Minerva
14 Piazza del Comune
Assisi, 06081
Italy
43.070994, 12.614687
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Calamita Cosmica

Foligno, Italy

miles away

Casa del Diavolo (House of the Devil)

Casa del Diavolo, Italy

miles away

Rasiglia

Rasiglia, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,054
Stories 110

Nearby Places

Calamita Cosmica

Foligno, Italy

miles away

Casa del Diavolo (House of the Devil)

Casa del Diavolo, Italy

miles away

Rasiglia

Rasiglia, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Italy

Italy

Europe

Places 1,054
Stories 110

Related Places

  • Antoninus and Faustina Temple

    Rome, Italy

    Antoninus and Faustina Temple

    An ancient Roman temple first dedicated to an emperor's wife is now a church.

  • Pune, India

    Parvati Nandan Ganpati Temple

    This 17th-century temple gave the area of Ganeshkhind its name.

  • Chapel on the Dunes

    Port Aransas, Texas

    Chapel on the Dunes

    The oldest functional consecrated church on Mustang Island.

  • Mantua Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Pietro)

    Mantua, Italy

    Mantua Cathedral (Cattedrale di San Pietro)

    The seat of the Mantua bishop holds many secrets within its walls.

  • Saint John Maroon Church

    Freetown, Sierra Leone

    Saint John Maroon Church

    One of the most important Krio heritage sites in the country.

  • Santuario de Nossa Senhora da Peneda

    São Bento do Canto, Portugal

    Santuario de Nossa Senhora da Peneda

    This chapel is the site of a yearly pilgrimage that originated during the Middle Ages.

  • Dome of San Lorenzo.

    Turin, Italy

    The Dome of San Lorenzo

    The intricate geometry inside this Baroque-style dome was designed to create "terror of the human soul."

  • Front of church.

    Athens, Greece

    Church of Agios Demetrios of Diakos

    This Ottoman-era church is hidden amid a busy tourist area.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.