Macellum Tempio di Serapide

Why are those three marble columns so famous? You’re looking at the Macellum Tempio di Serapide. It’s a fascinating site with a bit of an identity crisis. You see, it was long considered a temple dedicated to the Egyptian god Serapis. This was because a statue of Serapis was found during excavations in the 18th century. However, further studies revealed its true identity: the Macellum, the bustling marketplace of Roman Puteoli. Imagine the activity that took place right here, in the heart of the Macellum Tempio di Serapide. The air would have been filled with the shouts of vendors, the aroma of spices and fresh produce, and the chatter of customers haggling over prices. The Macellum’s design speaks volumes about its importance. The central courtyard, once paved with marble, was surrounded by porticoes with shops opening both inwards and outwards. Look closely at the columns. They are not just any columns. They are made of cipollino marble, a greenish stone quarried in Greece. This speaks to the far-reaching trade networks of the Roman Empire. But here’s what makes this place even more intriguing: the Macellum Tempio di Serapide is a living testament to the geological phenomenon of bradyseism. This phenomenon, characterized by the slow rising and sinking of the earth’s crust, has left its mark on the columns. You can see bands of damage caused by marine creatures, indicating periods when the sea engulfed the Macellum. These “scars” tell a story of change, reminding us of the constant dance between nature’s forces and human endeavors. The Macellum Tempio di Serapide is a unique blend of history, architecture, and geology. It’s a place where the remnants of a vibrant past intertwine with the forces of nature.