Tempio di Vesta (Temple of Vesta)

According to tradition, the temple dates back to Rome's second king, Numa Pompilius, and was originally conceived as a round hut, reminiscent of early Roman dwellings. Inside, the Penates of the state were kept, including the Palladium, a statue of Pallas Athena, which Aeneas is said to have saved from Troy. The sacred interior was accessible only to a select few, while the temple was otherwise open to the public. The Sacred Fire was rekindled annually on March 1st; its extinguishing was considered a great misfortune.