Temple of Janus, Autun
The Temple of Janus across the River Arroux. Photo
Knarf Elleb. 
Exterior of the cella of the Temple of Janus.
Inside the cella, with windows and niches.
View of Autun Cathedral through the ruins of the Temple of Janus.
One of the great walls of the Janus Temple. Photo
Stefan de Vries.
The Roman god Janus. Vatican Museum.
Across the River Arroux to the north of Autun are the substantial ruins of the Temple of Janus. Standing an impressive 24m (79 ft) high, it was probably part of the sanctuary of a Gallic deity that was adapted to Roman religion.
History
This temple has traditionally been believed to be dedicated to Janus, but this is not certain. Regardless, the Roman temple probably replaced a wooden temple to a Gallic deity that already stood on the site.
The Roman god Janus presided over war, gates, doors, doorways, beginnings, and endings. The month of January and the caretaker of doors and halls, a janitor, are both named for him.
Janus is usually depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions - one bearded and one clean-shaven - and holding a key. The two faces are believe to represent the sun and moon.
For the ancient Romans, Janus symbolized change and transitions such as the progression of future to past, of one condition to another, of one vision to another, the growing up of young people, and of one universe to another. He also represented time because he could see into the past with one face and into the future with the other.
Thus Janus was worshipped at the beginnings of the harvest and planting times, as well as marriages, births and other beginnings. He was representative of the middle ground between barbarity and civilization, rural country and urban cities, and youth and adulthood.
What to See
The Temple de Janus in Autun stands picturesquely in a grassy field across the river from town. The two brick walls that remain are part of the square cella, or central area of the temple where the god dwelled. Around the cella was a gallery, which supported a roof; the holes for the beams can be seen in the ruins.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | Temple of Janus; Temple de Janus; Janus Temple |
| Location: | Autun, Burgundy, France |
| Faith: | Ancient Roman |
| Category: | Roman Temples |
| Architecture: | Roman |
| Date: | 1st century AD |
| Size: | Height: 24m (79 ft) Width: 16m Length: 16m |
| Status: | ruins |
| Stock photos: | Temple of Janus Stock Photos |
| Visitor Information | |
| Coordinates: | 46.961251° N, 4.288552° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Website: | www.temple-de-janus.net |
| Opening hours: | Always open |
| Cost: | Free |
Travel Resources
- Autun Map - our detailed interactive map of Autun, plus hand-picked links to more
- Autun Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Temple of Janus. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Autun Map.
Article Sources
- Personal visit (June 4, 2008).
- The Rough Guide to France 9 (April 2005), 617.
- Janus (mythology) - Wikipedia
- Temple de Janus - Structurae
Last updated on March 29, 2010.
