The Pantheon's rival: the dome of Minerva Medica

Let's explore a little known dome from imperial Rome, dating to the time of Constantine. It was once part of a larger complex of the emperors. After a long restoration, it is now possible to visit the site. Join Darius inside the domed hall to explore its stunning engineering and architecture. It's been known as the Temple of Minerva Medica, but we'll explore its true nature in this episode.
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0:00 Introduction
0:39 The location in Rome
1:30 Imperial garden estates (horti)
3:55 Details of the dome
5:53 Decoration of the hall

[@iAmLucaz]

This channel is becoming my favorite, you know exactly what we want to see!

[@DariusArya]

Thank you! That’s because I know what I want to see! 😁

[@euromaestro]

That’s because @DariusArya is the best!

[@MikeOtranto]

I am continually amazed at all the things I get to see in the city of Rome but also the things that I miss. I could live there for a year and not see everything!

[@DariusArya]

I've been here for decades- still just scratching the surface!

[@brucewatt1032]

I know the feeling!

[@stevenphillips3466]

The reconstruction of those statues is awesome... to find them and put them back together....

[@DariusArya]

So many of them are in the museums in Rome!

[@AdiSneakerFreak]

Just incredible. Thanks again Darius for getting under the skin of Rome.

[@stevenphillips3466]

In that drawing from 1828 you can see the Ribbed support structures coming from the direct center of the arch supports ...amazing that roof lasted THAT long ....If I could time travel I would wish to go back to Rome in about 181AD , just as the Colosseum was completed .

[@DariusArya]

Take it back to 80 for the inaugural games at the Colosseum!

[@MikeS29]

What a fantastic building! I've been to Rome so many times and never knew of this building. I know where I'm going next time! Thanks, Darius.

[@DariusArya]

Please do! It's worth a view, even if only from outside. Porta Maggiore is just down the street!

[@risatedarte5366]

Between Porta Maggiore and the station. I live in Rome but I've never been inside it

[@nijntje6503]

Passed by it today on my way to Lago Albano. What a coincidence. Thanks Darius. We have enjoyed so many places in Rome over the last months that you pointed out over the years. Greetings from Prati.

[@DariusArya]

My pleasure! Yes, I love spotting it as I exit or return to Rome via train!

[@DariusArya]

And thanks for watching over the years!

[@jayvan4353]

I absolutely love this channel! As a building contractor I love all the minor, close up camera angles of the structures.

[@anonymanonym4900]

How fabulous is this! When I arrive by train and pass this forgotten and mysterious structure I will now know exactly what it was and when it was built. Thank you!

[@DariusArya]

My pleasure!

[@petrismaximus]

Thank you for taking us here 😀

[@DariusArya]

My pleasure!

[@luluandmeow]

Thank you Darius, fantastic content as usual, it was amazing to see the sheer scale of the building when you were inside, it makes me want to go to Rome and stay not just for a few days but for at least a month to see everything you've shown us. I really appreciate all your work. Best wishes from an italian living in London

[@ale_s45]

This structure caught my attention imediately when I was arriving in Rome by train

[@DariusArya]

Yes, it's a real shocker!

[@Materialworld4]

Thank You so much Darius, I never thought I could get a look inside it, but you did it for me. Wow.

[@DariusArya]

Happy to go and make the visit. It had a been a while!

[@patriciarichmond]

Darius, I just arrived in Rome and saw this new video, and made my reservation for April 14!! I love this ancient site and have passed it many times by train, and saw it once at the fence. Thanks to you, I will visit it properly on Sunday. Patricia Richmond

[@maddietighe5881]

Can't wait to see this! Thanks for presenting a map with awesome orientation!

[@aversivehat9532]

Ah last year while backpacking I stayed in a hostel just down the road from this temple, one of the first ruins I saw after leaving Termini! Great to see some spotlight on it

[@brucewatt1032]

Well, here’s yet another fascinating place to visit on my next trip to Rome 😅 Many thanks for detailing what to look out for when i visit this Dome of Minerva Medica 🙏

[@33Donner77]

Thanks for presenting another ancient site that is not that well-known to the general public. It's good to know that there was still architectural innovation in the 4th century AD.

[@samright4661]

It’s a shame it didn’t survive intact . What a spectacular building it’s amazing the Romans built structures of this size without modern technology

[@777peacelove]

I have learned so much from you and your video's. My next trip to Rome is in September, and I will visit this wonderful building. Thank you Darius.

[@DariusArya]

Awesome! It doesn’t disappoint!

[@edgarsnake2857]

Thanks Darius. I never saw this before. Your comments about the structural innovations were great.

[@alaingadbois2276]

Amazing construction! Your video had me searching in books about this structure! Piranesi made another engraving in a slightly different angle to the one you showed. Refered to (erroneously) as a temple, it is also drawn in plan and elevation in Palladio’s Fourth Book of Architecture. Excellent presentation of the context, engineering and decoration of this significant building!

[@grafneun]

Rome is awesome

[@ezzovonachalm9815]

Mr Darius Arya should be given a directive place in the Ministerio per la protezione e il Ristauro dei monumenti della Roma classica , so that his practical and artistical knowledge could be a valid contribute to the reanimation of that sleeping institution. I give her my voice for this nomination: Lanfranco de' Clari MD. 6900 Lugano, Switzerland. Italian citizen.

[@FortunateXpat]

Wow! I’ve walked through that area a dozen times and have somehow missed this. Not the next time. Thank you!

[@Marshal_Dunnik]

If you haven't seen the Pantheon, I'd say go see this first. Makes for quite the contrast.

[@hangman960]

I remember going passed that on the train

[@FitzRabbits]

Awesome video. Thanks Darius.

[@halporter9]

I’ve been near there, stayed in those small hotels next to train station. Wish I had this to lead me and take a look.. this is fascinating, and shows how Roman architecture, building technology kept adapting and improving, even during the catastrophic Third century with its invasions, coups, plagues (introducing measles or smallpox to Europe). The disasters did not totally destroy transmission and development of information and professional forms of education, at least in the ancient Imperial capital.

[@paulhill3187]

Perhaps you could detail how it was that such an amount of statuary was saved. Was it buried on purpose, buried by a flood, taken into care by the Vatican ? Thanks for guiding us to the little-known corners of Rome.

[@behrouzvossoughi5465]

somehow i keep forgetting about this channel but then after a time my mind tells me to go look for it. Only thing is i wish every video was at least 20 min. long.

[@martinstensby2011]

Thanks Darius! I did see this building -22, but it seems that they have done some recent restauration works since then. I’ll see if I have the time to revisit in May when in Rome again.

[@pcatful]

This immediately reminded me of Byzantine structures, and I wonder if that is related to it's later era of construction, in the Roman empire.

[@stevenphillips3466]

What amazes me also is the sheer amount of Roman Bridges that are still in operation today . I am going to Spain to see the Roman bridges in that country ...they are all over...we cant build them to last 100 years

[@DariusArya]

Yes! Check out the top Roman bridges video on @ancientromelive KZbin channel.

[@alfredusf5076]

Magnificent ❤

[@4cyran]

thanks 4shering

[@user-uz2op6og3l]

Wonderful!

[@RPe-jk6dv]

It is related to the roman decagon of the church of st. Gereon in cologne.

[@fieracarmen4713]

Am impresia că am văzut din tren această clădire și chiar m-am întrebat,ce este!

[@scummymummy2548]

Amazing. Thank you.❤

[@DariusArya]

Happy to make the visit. Unless you go inside you really can’t appreciate it!

[@Manu-ih7zf]

Marvelous! Thank you.

[@DariusArya]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cherylwood5202]

Wonderful "new" site to introduce to us, Thank you! Did the dome completely cover the inside? Did it have an oculus?

[@fanroche8573]

have seen from train and went to find it but it was not open back then, very exciting. These more obscure sites are the ones that grab me and appreciate your videos very much and indeed the maps. can you share the source for this map showing the horti etc if possible ??

[@DariusArya]

Thank you. The map is on wiki for horti garden estates.

[@michaeldy3157]

Cool

[@bullfrommull]

Passed it a few times into termini . Great video. The last time a steam train was leaving.

[@DariusArya]

Thanks!

[@RP-mm9ie]

fantastic

[@truthserum5202]

Don't be so sure that this revered ancient place isn't far older than is believed

[@TWOCOWS1]

Thank you as usual, for your wonderfully educational video. I have a question: you say this buliding has been recently restored. But there are shrubs and plants hanging from the roofs, while their roots destroying the builiding. How was it "restored" then?

[@DariusArya]

The small shrubs and plants form quickly - but will be removed periodically. I didn't circle them on the video - but in the spin-around of the interior, you can easily see a large upper section for 3 large arcades has been rebuilt with. new brick (missing any residual marble decoration attachment details - plasterwork, etc).

[@TWOCOWS1]

@@DariusArya Thank you. Yes, plants can be be distructive to the structure

[@lilpenny1982]

They should restore it to its original exterior structure.

[@DariusArya]

If you look closely you can see heavy intervention- look at the new brick sections (during spin-around view of the interior).

[@gorygremlin13]

Great video

[@DariusArya]

Thanks for the visit

[@ah7910]

Darius, this video is fantastic, thank you. I’m so glad I discovered your wonderful channel. You make for an articulate, handsome and very likeable host. Your enthusiasm is infectious. I didn’t care much for the first bit of music (ancient drumming) but the second piece of music that had an Indiana Jones vibe was great. In general your music sounds a bit generic and cheesy. Your videos deserve better music, or perhaps none st all. The artificial strings on a cheap synthesiser can be distracting. At 8.05, when the music fades and it’s just your quiet voice - that was a mood in itself! 👌🏻 Your wonderful voice and incredible visuals are more than enough. Try and stay away from the temptation to play music underneath everything to keep your content sounding ‘interesting’. Your audience is a intellectual one and your charming voice is more than enough. Keep up the great work! Best wishes, from London UK

[@DariusArya]

Thanks for your comments. I do appreciate it!

[@Stevie-J]

This video is really great but the speed of the panning shots and the google earth spinning gave me some motion sickness. Maybe it's just me though

[@dmd5645]

I suspect this was part of a larger home or palace. Ya think?. I'm reminded of Nero's (?, correct ?)round dining room with fountains in the wall, the ruins of which are adjacent to the colosseum. Just a thought. Like mrs Astor building a beaux arts monstrosity to rival the Vanderbilts mansions. People have always been competitive.

[@DariusArya]

yes, see discourse on the "horti" garden estates.

[@dmd5645]

@@DariusArya thanks Darius!!. Absolutely love the channel and your work!. 👏👏 I'll check out the horti estates!.. 😁

[@jerrygottlick4614]

Was it a special visiting day or is it visited daily and open?

[@DariusArya]

It's opened occasionally - look out for listings!

[@kaloarepo288]

You seem to have a Persian name -did the Persians and Parthians have similar domes to the Roman ones or did they copy the Roman buildings?

[@xmaniac99]

It is generally accepted that the late Persian domes where built by Eastern Roman engineers and architects, the relations where amicable for longer periods and that resulted in granting of certain technical assistance.

[@scoon2117]

Was there any ancient graffiti?

[@DariusArya]

Didn't see any during visit

[@kingjoe3rd]

I can hear an annoying British historian droning on about how Constantine wasn't very great and giving all these silly reasons as to why but never having the balls to admit that he is only critical of him because of his connection to Christianity, which is something the annoying British historian resents mostly for modern political reasons. Which British historian does this? The question is which one DOESN'T do this.