From the outside of the church, you can see the columns from two of the temples incorporated into the outer walls of of San Nicola. Inside, for a small fee, you can access the underground. Here it is quite amazing to realize that you are standing on what was once the ground level of Rome. You can see parts of the foundations of the three temples, column bases, and part of an architrave. This is not a "to see" for everyone, for sure, but interesting especially if you have an interest in pagan Rome.

This is an interesting church dedicated to St. Nicolas that is situated Via del Teatro di Marcello upon the grounds of the ancient Forum Oliorium. It is a church that requires only a short and quick visit, noteworthy for evidence of Ancient Roman, Medieval and Baroque features. Historically, there may have been Christian church structures here as early as the 6th century. In 1128, a Medieval church was constructed upon these grounds. The campanile you will see is from the Middle Ages however, the Baroque facade was added later in 1599. Notice the old columns embedded into the facade and both sides of the church. These were columns that formed small sections of the three ancient temples of Forum Oliorium long before the basilica was built here. The interior includes a central nave lined with a medley of columns repurposed from various different temples. The panelled ceiling and wall frescos leading to an attractive altar are nice. Side aisles include small chapels and artworks. You can arrange visit to the underground of the basilica according to information notice seen at the church. There you may be able to see more evidence of the ancient temples.

What makes this basilica unusual is that the remains of three ancient Roman temples are embedded in its walls. Like ghosts from the past, six columns from the ancient Temple of Speranza (also known as Spes) can be seen on the left hand side of the church. On the right hand side, are columns from the temple of the two-headed god, Giano (Janus). A single column from the Temple of Juno Sospita can be seen on the left of the tall, white facade. The rest were enclosed and covered up to look like a part of the basilica but they are still there, underneath the facade. Fortunately, when the basilica was built in 1128, the builders didn’t just take a wrecking ball to the old temples. Instead they simply built over the top and around what remained. Old columns were enclosed within new walls, thereby ensuring their survival. The basilica is generally open to the public and you can see more of the ancient temple remains from inside. The basilica is located just behind the Theatre of Marcellus and if you have time to We were exploring some of the less popular ruins, then this is an interesting area.