The Templo Romano de Córdoba is one of the most substantial Roman remains in a city that once served as the capital of the Roman province of Baetica. Its Corinthian columns of white marble rise several metres above street level in the heart of the Centro neighbourhood on Calle Claudio Marcelo. At night, uplighting picks out the column fluting and makes the ruins visible from across the square.
A Temple of Imperial Cult
Discovered in the 1950s during urban construction works, this 1st-century AD temple has been partially reconstructed using its original columns. Most likely dedicated to the imperial cult, it once stood at the forum of Corduba, the political and commercial centre of the Roman city. The podium height and column spacing give a reasonable impression of the original scale.
Architectural Details
The Corinthian capitals are finely carved, with the fluted column shafts and monumental column bases still in good condition. Archaeologists have identified the podium and access stairs. For comparison with other provincial Roman forums, Córdoba's was similar in ambition to those at Tarragona and Mérida.
A Short but Worth-It Stop
The remains take 15 minutes to see, but the evening lighting makes a later visit worthwhile. Open around the clock, the site is easy to include after dinner in the neighbourhood — Taberna Salinas and Bodegas Campos are minutes away on foot. Information panels explain the temple's role in the Roman forum. For more Roman Córdoba, the Museo Arqueológico is a 5-minute walk with collections that cover the same period in detail.
