Photos of the Perfect Roman Maison Carrée Temple Nimes

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Photos of the Perfect Roman Maison Carrée Temple Nimes. An In tact Roman Temple 2000 years old. Photos by photographer Paul E Williams. (TIP – use the icons below the slideshow for thumbnail photos and info)

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Photos of the Perfect Roman Maison Carrée Temple Nimes.

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Photos of the Maison Carrée Roman Temple, Nimes France.

The Building of Maison Carrée Temple Nimes

Maison Carrée is one of the best preserved Roman temple remaining from the ancient Roman Empire. The Maison Carrée was originally built as the heart of the Roman forum of Nemausus in present day Nimes. In 4-7 AD The Maison Carrée temple was a cult temple to Gaius and Lucius Caesar.

The Design of Maison Carrée

The Maison Carrée temple is an example of the architecture attributed to the influential Roman architect Marcus Vitruvius Pollio (70 – 15 BC). He wrote the bibles of Roman architecture – “The Ten Books of Architecture”, still in print today.

The Maison Carrée temple measures 26 m by 13.5 m and is raised on a 2.8 m high podium. The temples facade has a flight of stone steps leading to its portico with six Corinthian columns. From the portico a high door leads into the temple. This deep porch emphasizes the temple front, and distinguishes the layout from ancient Greek temples.

A large door (6.87 m high by 3.27 m wide) leads to the surprisingly small and windowless interior, where the shrine was originally housed. 

The Maison Carrée has undergone regular maintenance and restoration keeping it in tact for 2000 years.