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Celio

Explore the Celio, the quiet hill rising just behind the Colosseum. Wander shaded Villa Celimontana park, descend through San Clemente's stacked church, basilica, and Mithraic temple, and visit the excavated Case Romane del Celio.

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Reasons to go

The Celio is one of Rome's original seven hills, sitting directly behind the Colosseum.
San Clemente basilica stacks three eras vertically: a 12th-century church over a 4th-century basilica over a 1st-century Roman house and Mithraic temple.
The Case Romane del Celio preserves excavated Roman houses beneath the Basilica of Saints John and Paul.

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Full description

The Celio is one of Rome's original seven hills, and though it sits directly behind the Colosseum, it stays notably quieter than the surrounding tourist zone, much of it covered by the shaded Villa Celimontana park. Beneath the Basilica of San Clemente, one of Rome's best hidden layered sites, visitors can descend through a 12th-century church into a 4th-century basilica and further down into a 1st-century Roman house and Mithraic temple.

The area also holds the Case Romane del Celio, excavated Roman houses beneath the Basilica of Saints John and Paul. It rewards visitors who want ancient and early Christian Rome without the Colosseum's crowds.

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Address

Celio, Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy · Celio

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Booking

Walk-in

Duration

1h15

Best time

morning or afternoon

Intensity

Active — lots of walking

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Good to know

Descend through the layers of the Basilica of San Clemente, one of Rome's best under-the-radar sights
rest in the shade of Villa Celimontana park
combine with the Colosseum, since it's only a short walk away.

📍 Nearby spots