TEMPIO DI APOLLO

Between the Porta Marina and the forum stands the Temple of Apollo, one of the oldest sanctuaries in Pompeii, dating from 575-550 BC. In the centre of a courtyard surrounded by a portico of 48 columns, the temple stood on a high podium, with a staircase in the front preceded by an altar for the sacrifices. The bronze copies of the statues of Apollo and his sister Artemis (originals in the Museum of Naples) can be seen on the wings of the portico. Inside, theomphalos (stone symbol of the god and the earthly navel) is still in place.