The Curia Julia was the meeting house of the Roman Senate. Construction was started by Caesar and finished by Augustus who added the front portico. The dedication took place on 28 August 29 B.C. Damaged by the Neronian fire, the building was later restored by Domitian. Completely destroyed by another fire in the third century, it was reconstructed by Diocletian. Due to its conversion into the basilica of Sant'Adriano al Foro in the 7th century, the Curia Julia is one of only a handful of Roman structures to survive to the modern day mostly intact. In the 1930's the church was removed and the original 4th Century features restored. The marble cladding and portico are gone. Inside the single roomed structure one can see Byzantine period wall paintings and the ornate original marble floor dating from Diocletian. | |