Rome's ancient cattle market

Tucked between the Tiber, the Aventine Hill, and the Capitoline Hill lies one of Rome's most captivating and intimate archaeological areas: the Forum Boarium, the city's ancient cattle market. Here stand two remarkably well-preserved Republican temples — the Temple of Hercules Victor and the Temple of Portunus — and, just steps away, the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin with its famous Mouth of Truth / Bocca della Verità. It's a corner where antiquity feels close enough to touch, far from the crowds of the Forums.

Two temples and much more

The Forum Boarium is one of the places that preserves Rome's oldest and most intact temples, spared by the centuries because they were turned into churches. The surrounding area holds other monuments too: the Arch of Janus, the Arco degli Argentari, and its proximity to the Tiber, Tiber Island, and the Circus Maximus.

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What to see

  • The Temple of Hercules Victor, round, the oldest marble building in Rome.
  • The Temple of Portunus, rectangular and almost intact.
  • The Mouth of Truth / Bocca della Verità and the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin.
  • The Arch of Janus and the Arco degli Argentari, both nearby.

We take a closer look at the two temples in dedicated articles: the Temple of Hercules Victor and the Temple of Portunus. For the Mouth of Truth, see our guide The Mouth of Truth and Santa Maria in Cosmedin.

How to visit it

You can admire the temples of the Forum Boarium for free from the outside (the interiors are generally closed to visitors). The Mouth of Truth / Bocca della Verità, in the portico of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, can be visited for a small donation and often involves a line (prices and hours are approximate — check on site). To reach the area, see how to get to the Forum Boarium.

Nearby

The Forum Boarium pairs perfectly with a walk toward the Aventine Hill, the Circus Maximus, and the Tiber. See our guides to the Aventine Hill and the Circus Maximus.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Forum Boarium? Rome's ancient cattle market, set between the Tiber, the Aventine Hill, and the Capitoline Hill, where two remarkably well-preserved Republican temples and the Mouth of Truth stand.

Which temples can you see? The Temple of Hercules Victor (round, the oldest marble building in Rome) and the Temple of Portunus (rectangular and almost intact), both dating to the Republican era.

Where is the Mouth of Truth? In the portico of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, just steps from the temples of the Forum Boarium. It's one of the most photographed attractions in Rome.

Is there a fee to visit? The temples can be admired for free from the outside. For the Mouth of Truth, a small donation is generally expected. Check the hours and details on site.

What's in the surrounding area? The Arch of Janus, the Arco degli Argentari, the Tiber and Tiber Island, the Aventine Hill, and the Circus Maximus.

See also

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Article #529 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026