Temple de Diane

The Temple de Diane is a 1st-century ancient Roman building in Nîmes, Gard, built under Augustus. It is located near the gushing spring of 'La Fontaine', around which was an Augusteum, a sanctuary devoted to the cult of the emperor and his family, centred on a nymphaeum. The building's basilica-like floor plan argues against it being a temple and there is no archaeological or literary evidence for its dedication to Diana. It may instead have been a library. The facade was rebuilt during the 2nd century and in the mediaeval era it housed a monastery, ensuring its survival. The remains consist mainly of a vaulted hall of 14.5 x 9.5 m, flanked by two staircases to missing semi-detached buildings. The north side wall has a series of five rectangular niches surmounted by alternate triangular and semi-circular pediments. Between each niche was a column of composite order. Three other rooms have ceilings decorated with carved coffered ceilings