This was the temple of the goddess to whom Silla dedicated the colony in calling it Cornelia Veneria Pompeianorum. The building, made entirely of marble, was situated in the part of the town with the best view out to sea and was clearly visible to ships.
Little of the temple now remains as a result of the damage it suffered in the earthquake of 62 A.D. and also because it was stripped of its marble after the eruption of 79 A.D..
The shrine was closed off by a high wall and could be reached by the entrance in the north eastern corner on Via Marina. The temple stood on a podium measuring approximately 30 metres by 15 metres and was surrounded by a portico with two rows of columns on the longer sides and one row on the northern wall. The eastern side of the temple was embellished by two pedestals with statues and provided access to the houses at the foot of the slope where the priests of Venus probably lived.
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