Lucus Feroniae

Lucus Feroniae was a major sanctuary in Etruria dedicated to the Sabine goddess Feronia, protectress of freedmen. It stood along the Via Tiberina near modern Capena, next to the large Villa dei Volusii. Partly uncovered during construction of the A1 motorway, it lay opposite the Sabine town of Cures and later gained a forum on its south side.

The site was famous from early times: visited by both Latins and Sabines, it became one of Italy’s best-known festival centers by the 3rd century BC, drawing huge crowds. Hannibal plundered it in 211 BC; it was rebuilt several times, notably as a Hellenistic Corinthian temple between 143–129 BC, and may have been damaged again in the Social War. The surrounding town grew into a thriving market settlement, noted by Strabo for its annual fair and fire-walking rituals.

Under Augustus, the area was reorganized as Colonia Iulia Felix Lucoferensis, integrating the sanctuary into a larger Roman town.

Archaeological remains include parts of the Italic-plan temple, a large altar, the sacred grove’s enclosure wall (temenos), a porticoed entrance from the forum, and a rich votive deposit with anatomical terracottas, bronzes, and jewelry. A museum nearby displays the finds, and the Villa dei Volusii stands just beside the sanctuary.

Address
Via Tiberina km 18, Capena, Italy

Established
3rd century BCE