Caesar's Assassination Site, Sacred Temples Open to Public

The site where Julius Caesar was assassinated along with the remains of four Republican era temples known as the Area Sacra of  Largo Argentina is being renovated through a $1.1 million project funded by the Italian luxury brand Bulgari.  Rome mayor Virginia Raggi has announced that the project, scheduled for completion sometime after June 2021, will make the archeological site accessible to the public for the first time.  The site includes the remains of four Republican era temples dating from the 3rd to the 2nd century B.C.   Although just the remnants of the foundation of the Curia of the Theater of Pompey are included in this site, it is important historically as the place where Caesar was assassinated.  Caesar was stabbed to death by conspirators in 44 B.C. and died, according to some accounts, at the foot of the bust of Pompey.  Pompey had been his rival for rule of Rome until defeated by Caesar four years previously forcing him to retreat to Egypt where he was assassinated by members of his own military.  Pompey had linked his massive theater complex to the four earlier temples which, along with a temple to Venus that he constructed at the top of the seating area of his theater, allowed him to get around the longstanding prohibition on permanent theaters in Rome.  As part of the excavation of the temples, a colossal marble head of a statue of the goddess Fortuna was discovered which can now be seen at the Centrale Montemartini museum.  The Largo Argentina is now also known for its cat sanctuary that feeds and cares for the abandoned feral cats and is open to visitors who can adopt a cat by donating for its care.