Temple of Vesta

(Local Name: Tempio di Vesta) In ancient times the Temple of Vesta in the Forum - there is another temple of Vesta in the Forum Boarium - contained the "Sacred Fire" which was guarded by the Vestals (virgins selected from the best families in Rome). The six priestesses served in the temple between the ages of 10 and 14. The Romans attached great importance to this "eternal fire"; on the first day of the new year (March first) they put out the fires in their houses and lit new ones from the flame in the temple of Vesta. The present remains, dating from the time of Septimus Severus (A.D. 193-211), indicate that the temple was circular, with 20 slender columns supporting the roof. Archeological investigation has established that there was an opening in the center of the roof to let out the smoke from the sacred flame.