Largo di Torre Argentina
Largo di Torre Argentina, Temple A (to Juturna) in the distance, Temple B in the center. In the distant left, the Teatro Argentina | |
| Location | Comune di Roma, Lazio, Italy |
|---|---|
| Region | Lazio |
| Coordinates | 41°53′43″N 12°28′37″E / 41.89528°N 12.47694°E |
| Type | sanctuary |
| History | |
| Founded | 4th century BC – 1st century AD |
| Periods | Roman Republic, Roman Empire |
| Cultures | Ancient Rome |
| Site notes | |
| Excavation dates | yes |
| Public access | yes |
| Website | AREA SACRA DI LARGO ARGENTINA |
Largo di Torre Argentina (lit. 'Silver Tower Square', Italian: [ˈlarɡo di ˈtorre ardʒenˈtiːna]) is a large open space in Rome, Italy, with four Roman Republican temples and the remains of Pompey's Theatre. It is in the ancient Campus Martius. This was one of the places the ancient "Argentario"--the silver/money men, the bankers--used for their profession.
The name of the square comes from the Torre Argentina (Silver Tower), which takes its name from the city of Strasbourg whose Latin name was Argentoratum--Silver [city]. In 1503, the Papal Master of Ceremonies Johannes Burckardt, who came from Strasbourg and was known as "Argentinus", built in via del Sudario a palace (now at number 44), called Casa del Burcardo, to which the tower is annexed.
Julius Caesar was assassinated in the Curia of Pompey, and the spot where he is believed to have been assassinated is in the square.
After Italian unification, it was decided to reconstruct part of Rome (1909), demolishing the zone of Torre Argentina. However, during the demolition work in 1927, the colossal head and arms of a marble statue were discovered. The archaeological investigation brought to light the presence of a holy area, dating to the Republican era, with four temples and part of Pompey's Theatre.
In 2019, Rome's mayor Virginia Raggi announced that walkways would be installed in the site allowing the general public to tour the ruins for the first time.