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Next to the Temple of Vesta stands the Atrium Vestae, literally means “House of the Vestal Virgins”. These holy virgins administered the only feminine priesthood within the Roman religious system. They took vows in chastity, serving as long as 30 years as the priestesses of Vesta, Roman goddess of family, hearth and home. Any treachery of their vow of chastity would result in death punishment. These female priests were very honored and considerably rich. Atrium Vestae, home to these sacred women, had a courtyard with three basins, with a 3-story palace comprising of 50 rooms where lived the Vestal Virgins. Some statues representing the Virgins are still to be seen on the site. The temple existed until 391 A.D., the year when Theodoric the Great decided to put an end to all pagan cults in Rome.

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