Standing incongruously in what is now a pedestrianised area of shops and bars in Córdoba, it still strikes me that there is a Roman temple in the middle of all of that.

It isn’t the biggest and it isn’t the most impressive Roman temple you can see and it certainly isn’t Córdoba’s biggest touristic pull to the city but it is attractive and lends a touch of history and grandeur to an otherwise generic (but lovely- one of my favourites!) street.

“I often think to myself when I’m there- it’s not everyday you can sit and have a wine with a piece of ancient history right in front of you…”

It’s a small temple so admittedly there isn’t a lot to write about in this post but I still want it included on my blog due to it being in the Andalucían city where I live.

The Templo Romano de Córdoba wasn’t excavated until the 1950s when City Hall expansion was taking place. The town hall sits in front of the temple and that whole area underwent major resurfacing in 2016/2017 which makes the area so much more accessible and attractive.

The street which is home to the Roman temple is Calle Claudio Marcelo which is fitting due to the fact the original construction of this temple was by this Roman Emperor back in the years around 45AD and it took forty years to complete.

What remains today are eleven pillars and some carved marble stones.

Calle Claudio Marcelo and its vicinity have become the creative centre of Córdoba in recent years, with trendy bars such as MUSA , El Clandestino, Agua de Mayo and La Caña de España hosting poetry and photography workshops, the Cosmopoética event each Autumn and live music.

In just three years of living in Córdoba I have already seen how much it is modernising and evolving into quite a bohemian scene.

However, the looming presence of the Roman temple reminds us at all times of Córdoba’s Roman history and the city’s loyalty to its colourful past.

In one of my favourite bars for a drink and tapas out on the terrace is Taberna La Cuarta which has great views of the temple. I often think to myself when I’m there- it’s not everyday you can sit and have a wine with a piece of ancient history right in front of you.

The Archeological Museum also houses some artefacts from the temple and it is true that only a fraction of the once very large site has been unearthed just like the Medina Azahara whose excavation is ongoing.

One has to use their imagination quite a bit in order to picture how it once may have been.

So that’s it really! My brief post on the Roman Temple of Córdoba.

If anyone knows any interesting facts please leave them in the comment box below!