Temple of Augustus

The Temple of Augustus in Barcelona is a striking remnant of the city’s Roman past, located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter at Carrer del Paradís 10. This ancient temple dates back to the 1st century BC and was dedicated to the worship of Emperor Augustus, the first Roman emperor who ruled from 27 BC to AD 14. The temple was a central religious building within the Roman colony of Barcino, now modern-day Barcelona.

Overlooking Ancient Barcino

The Temple of Augustus stood on Mont Tàber (Mons Taber), the highest point in Roman Barcino, aligning with the Roman tradition of placing key civic and religious buildings on elevated ground. Measuring approximately 37 meters long and 17 meters wide, the temple featured a hexastyle layout. Six Corinthian columns were spread across the front and a total of around 34 columns encircled the structure. It stood on a podium roughly one-third the height of its columns, enhancing its commanding presence.

Dedicated to Emperor Augustus, the temple symbolized Barcino’s integration into the Roman Empire and its loyalty to the imperial cult. Such temples were common across the empire, honoring Augustus as a bringer of peace during the Pax Romana. More than a place of worship, the Temple of Augustus was the heart of the Roman forum, the civic and ceremonial core of the city. It was here that magistrates met, rituals were held, and trade flourished. The Temple of Augustus stood for approximately four centuries, from its construction in the late 1st century BC until the final centuries of Roman rule in the region.

Loss and Rediscovery

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Barcelona’s Temple of Augustus gradually disappeared, as its stones were reused in medieval buildings. The surviving columns became hidden, tucked away in private courtyards and homes.

The temple reemerged in the 19th century during construction at the Centre Excursionista de Catalunya, revealing three Corinthian columns. Early 20th-century architects, including Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Lluís Domènech i Montaner, orchestrated the removal of medieval additions and installed the columns in a purpose-built courtyard.

Visiting the Temple

The Temple of Augustus, part of the Barcelona City History Museum (MUHBA) heritage network, is open to the public free of charge. Easily accessible via the Jaume I metro station (L4) and several bus lines, the temple is open Monday from 10 am to 2 pm, Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm, and Sunday until 8 pm. Look for the nearby millstone marking the summit of Mont Tàber and consider combining the visit with the Roman ruins at nearby MUHBA Plaça del Rei.