Tempio di Ercole: A Window to Ancient Cora

The Tempio di Ercole, standing proudly in Cori, is a testament to the town's ancient past. Constructed during the dictatorship of Sulla between 89 and 80 BC, the temple dominates the city from its elevated position on the site of the ancient acropolis, 398 meters above sea level. The temple is attributed to two local magistrates, whose names are inscribed on the architrave. Though traditionally called the Temple of Hercules, its true dedication remains uncertain. The temple's excellent preservation is due to its conversion into a church, Chiesa di San Pietro (Saint Peter), though the church was destroyed by Allied bombing in 1944. The adjacent bell tower is a remnant of the old church. The temple itself is a tetrastyle structure, featuring four columns on its facade and four on each side. These Doric columns, standing at seven meters tall, support an architrave decorated with triglyphs and metopes. The temple reflects Italic architectural traditions, drawing inspiration from Etruscan and Republican examples. Over the centuries, the Tempio di Ercole has captivated artists, including Giovanni Battista Piranesi and possibly even Raphael, who measured and sketched the temple.