The Sanctuary of Palestrina - Santuario della Fortuna Primigenia (manortiz)

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by Luigi Manfredi
published on 19 November 2020

The sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia, is a magnificent sacred complex, dedicated to the goddess Fortuna, which dates back to the end of 2nd century B.C.
It is highly likely that the sanctuary was built by the townspeople, who were probably devoted to Roman imperialism but excluded from political circles and therefore eager to establish themselves after becoming wealthy with resources from the East. The remains of the sanctuary, which over the centuries had been englobed into the Medieval town, were brought to light following the bombing of Palestrina in 1944.
The sanctuary has six terraces built on the slopes of Monte Ginestro. The first two terraces were originally accessible through the town’s forum by way of a series of steps on the sides, and were bordered by two huge walls. The second terrace has four columns which lead to pools with service rooms to the sides. The third terrace which led to two monumental ramps with porticos, is supported by two blind arches, one above the other. On the fourth terrace was the oracular place of worship with a sacred well and a statue of the goddess Fortuna nursing Jupiter and Juno. The fifth terrace has a back wall with Corinthian semi-columns and niches. The sixth and last terrace was a large, U-shaped platform, bordered on three sides by a double Corinthian portico and a theatre pit at the back.
The pit was crowned by a semi-circular double Corinthian portico, above which stood a small circular temple with an important late-Hellenistic marble sculpture of the goddess. The sanctuary, technically and stylistically of the highest quality, is one of the most important Roman-Hellenistic sanctuaries in the Lazio region. It is attributed to a talented architect of the late-Hellenistic age, one of the great architects who worked in Rome and Italy between the end of 2nd century and beginning of 1st century B.C.
http://www.romaepiu.it/en/santuario-d...

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