Roman City Aventicum-Temple

Aventicum, today's Avenches, was once the center of the Roman Civitas Helvetiorum and the largest city on Swiss soil during its heyday from the 1st to 3rd century AD. The city, which at times had over 20,000 inhabitants, was an important political, religious, and economic hub. The temple was part of a vigorous building activity that began around 89 AD when Aventicum was incorporated into the province of Germania superior. During this period, in addition to residential and commercial buildings, numerous representative structures were erected, including various temple complexes. The Granges-des-Dîmes temple was built in the early 2nd century on the remains of a Celtic sanctuary. It featured a podium with a grand staircase and a cella surrounded by a columned portico. Another monumental temple complex, the Cigognier temple, presumably dedicated to Jupiter and local deities, also stood on a podium with a large forecourt lined with colonnades.

The ancient temple remains are situated in Avenches, a municipality in the Broye-Vully district in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, at an elevation of approximately 446 m above sea level.

Visitors can today explore the well-preserved remains of the Roman temple complexes and experience the atmosphere of the former Roman metropolis of Aventicum.

• Roman City Aventicum-Theater (Ancient Buildings), approx. 0.3 km away
• Roman City Aventicum-Amphitheater (Ancient Buildings), approx. 0.3 km away
• Château Avenches (Castle), approx. 0.4 km away
• Roman City Aventicum-Therme (Ancient Buildings), approx. 0.5 km away