Temple of Augustus

Chapter 7/11 · Barcelona

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This courtyard holds a surprise: the columns of the Roman temple dedicated to the cult of the emperor Augustus, which presided over the forum of Barcino at the top of Mons Taber. It was probably begun under Tiberius, the emperor who established that cult. Today it is part of the Barcelona History Museum (MUHBA).

Four columns survive. They came to light at the end of the 19th century, during building work on the headquarters of the Centre Excursionista de Catalunya. One of them was rebuilt from fragments and stood in the Plaça del Rei until 1956, when it was brought here to join the others.

As early as 1830 the architect Antoni Cellers studied and drew the temple for the Board of Trade, although he took it to be Carthaginian. Later Josep Puig i Cadafalch described it as a temple surrounded by columns, with six across the front, raised on a podium.

We continue along Carrer del Paradís and Carrer de la Pietat, beside the cathedral, and along Carrer dels Comtes we reach the Plaça del Rei.

← Plaça de Sant Jaume: Generalitat and City Hall · Plaça del Rei (King's Square) →