The Temple of Apollo is the oldest and most important sacred building in Pompeii, predating the Roman period and originating in the 6th century BC. It stands in a sacred precinct immediately adjacent to the Forum, surrounded by a colonnade of 48 columns. The original bronze statues of Apollo and Diana are now in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples.
Of all the temples in Pompeii, the Temple of Apollo holds the distinction of being both the oldest and the most significant. Inscriptions and votive deposits date the sanctuary to the 6th century BC — before Pompeii became a Roman colony, before the Forum was formalised, before the city’s grid was laid out. Apollo was worshipped here when Pompeii was under Oscan and Samnite influence, and his temple continued as the city’s principal religious building through the Roman period. The 48-column colonnade surrounding the sacred precinct, the elegant podium with its frontal staircase, and the atmospheric remains of the altar all survive to give a vivid sense of a place that was sacred for almost a thousand years before Vesuvius ended Pompeii’s history.
Top Tickets
# Entry Ticket with Audio Guide
# Guided Tour with an Archaeologist
# 2-Hour Small Group Tour
Table of Contents
History of the Temple
The earliest evidence for the Temple of Apollo at Pompeii dates to the 6th century BC in the form of Bucchero pottery and small votive objects found in the sanctuary. The current structure — the podium, the colonnade, and the overall layout — dates to the 2nd century BC renovation, when Pompeii was becoming a fully Romanised city and public building was transformed accordingly.
During the Samnite period (4th–2nd century BC), the temple was associated with the ludi Apollinares — games held in Apollo’s honour that included athletic contests and gladiatorial spectacles. These games were among the most important religious events in the Pompeian calendar and help explain why the temple was positioned so prominently adjacent to the city’s civic centre.
What to See at the Temple of Apollo
The Colonnade
The 48 Ionic columns of the surrounding portico are among the most elegant architectural elements in Pompeii. Walking the colonnade on a quiet morning, with the Forum visible through the gaps between columns, gives an immediate sense of sacred space that is different from the civic energy of the Forum itself.
The Altar
In front of the temple steps stands the original sacrificial altar — a monolithic block of white marble inscribed with the names of the duoviri (the two chief magistrates of Pompeii) who commissioned it during the Augustan period. The altar is one of the best-preserved original marble elements anywhere in Pompeii.
The Statue Replicas
At the corners of the temple’s pronaus (front porch) stand bronze replicas of the statues of Apollo and Diana found during excavations. Apollo in his traditional pose as archer, Diana as huntress — the originals are among the finest bronzes in the collection of the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. The replicas are high quality and give a sense of how the temple appeared when its cult statues were in place.
The Omphalos
Near the altar stands an omphalos — a conical stone believed in antiquity to mark the navel (centre) of the world. The omphalos was closely associated with Apollo’s most sacred sanctuary at Delphi. Its presence at the Pompeii temple underlines the site’s deep connection with Greek religious tradition, long before Rome’s influence was felt.
Practical Visitor Information
How Long to Allow
Allow 10–15 minutes for the Temple of Apollo. It is best visited as part of a Forum-focused opening sequence — both the Forum and the Temple of Apollo are adjacent and together form the most concentrated area of civic and religious importance in Pompeii.
Is It Always Accessible?
The exterior of the temple and its precinct are always accessible during opening hours. Entry to the inner temple sanctum is restricted. Book your entry ticket in advance.
