Lupercal

Lupercal, Rome (Historic sites) — Fig. 01Lupercal© unknown · Public domain

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About Lupercal

The Lupercal was an important cult site at the foot of the Palatine Hill in Rome. According to the founding myth, a she-wolf nursed the twins Romulus and Remus there before they founded the city. The religious festival of the Lupercalia and its associated priesthood were derived from this sacred site. Under Augustus, the site was restored. In 2007, archaeologists drilling in Rome's palace district discovered a partially collapsed grotto lying 16 meters below the surface. It is decorated with shells and marble and is estimated to be eight meters high. While some experts suspect it is the long-sought Lupercal, the head of Rome's archaeological authority considers the find more likely to be a nymphaeum.

Based on the article “Lupercal” from the German Wikipedia, summarized and rephrased by a language modelLicense CC BY-SA 4.0

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At a glance

Category: Sight › Historic sites
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Address: Via di S. Teodoro, 9
00186 Rome, Italy
District: Roma I
Phone: —
Website: —
Email: —
Coordinates: 41.88838° N · 12.48495° E
Data quality: confidence 0.61
Identifier: ID ba85532d-df1…

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Location & surroundings

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Radius

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FAQ about Lupercal

quick answers

What is the Lupercal in Rome?

The Lupercal was an important ancient place of worship at the foot of the Palatine Hill in Rome. According to the founding myth, a she-wolf nursed the twins Romulus and Remus there before they founded the city of Rome. This makes the Lupercal one of the places closely tied to the legendary origins of Rome.

Where is the Lupercal in Rome?

The Lupercal lies at the foot of the Palatine Hill in the Roma I district of Rome. travelguide195 lists its address as Via di S. Teodoro, 9. That puts it right in the heart of the ancient center of the Italian capital.

Has the Lupercal in Rome been rediscovered?

Whether the Lupercal in Rome has actually been found again is disputed among experts. In 2007, archaeologists drilling in Rome's palace district discovered a partially collapsed grotto 16 meters (about 52 feet) underground, decorated with shells and marble and estimated to be eight meters (about 26 feet) high. Some experts believe it is the long-sought Lupercal, while the head of Rome's archaeological authority sees it more as a nymphaeum.

What was the Lupercal's significance for the Lupercalia?

The religious festival of the Lupercalia and its associated priesthood derived from the Lupercal in Rome. The sacred site was thus the starting point of an important Roman cult. Under Emperor Augustus, the Lupercal was restored.

What can you see around the Lupercal in Rome?

Around the Lupercal in Rome, numerous ancient sites on the Palatine Hill are just a few minutes' walk away. travelguide195 lists nearby attractions including the Domus of Augustus (about 82 meters), the Temple of Apollo Palatinus (about 83 meters), the Domus Transitoria (about 83 meters), the Casa Romuli (about 101 meters), and the House of Livia (about 122 meters). travelguide195 also lists around 27 restaurants within 500 meters.

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