The temple located on the southern side of the Via Sacra is one of the oldest structures built on Forum Romanum. Its beginnings date back to the first buildings in this area (VIII/VII centuries B.C.). Since its inception it was a small, round structure set on a high podium, surrounded by a row of columns with Corinthian capitols. Its cell was covered by a roof, in the middle of which there was an opening, leading smoke out of the hearth burning within.

Access to the most holy place in the temple (sancta sanctorum) was reserved for the Vestals who cared for it and the high priest of the city – pontifex maximus. That is why the building also served as a sort of archives for important documents for the city. Papers important for its citizens were stored there – for example last wills. The building was often on fire, also in time of the great fire during the reign of Emperor Nero. It took on its final form in the year 191 A.D., when it was rebuilt at the initiative of the wife of Emperor Septimius Severus – Julia Domna.

Immediately next to the temple stood the House of the Vestals (Atrium Vestae), whose central part was occupied by a courtyard surrounded by a portico and statues adorning it along with a pond and a fountain. The statues represented the Vestals, meaning the priestesses of the temple, who enjoyed particular reverence, and who cared for the eternal fire burning within. They were appointed six in number (or seven) from among girls who came from renowned Roman families and were between seven to ten years old. Their function was both honorable and one that required great sacrifice. This was mainly connected with virginity, which the Vestals swore to uphold during the 30 years of their service to the temple. The punishment for failure (meaning for example immoral conduct) was also clearly specified, which the head priestess during the reign of Emperor Domitian found out. Accused of accepting lovers, she was buried alive, since according to Roman traditions the blood of the Vestals could not be spilled. Severe punishments also befell the priestesses if the fire was extinguished, which was seen as a harbinger of doom for the city.

The Vestals accepted offerings brought to the goddess in form of food, they also transported water in jugs  from the Egeria spring in order to clean the temple every day. After three decades they were released from this honorable service and could marry, but generally did not. They enjoyed great respect and were the pride of the families from which they came. As the guardians of the most important treasures in the empire and protectors of fire, they were the guarantors of prosperity of the city. It should come as no surprise that the chambers inhabited by them on the upper floor provided them with all kinds of luxuries including running hot water and heating.

The last of the Vestals were removed from the temple in the year 394 when Theodosius the Great forbade the practice of all non-Christian cults in the empire. In the following centuries the temple as well as the residence of the Vestals deteriorated.

The remains did not undergo thorough conservation until the thirties of the XX century during the time of Benito Mussolini. The ancient remains – parts of the entablature and fragments of the cell and the podium – were supplemented in this way creating a picturesque ruin.

A similar in form building in all its splendor can be seen at the foot of Aventine Hill – the Temple of Hercules  (Hercules Victor) which stood at the then Forum Boarium and has maintained its original form to this very day.