Landmark
Originally built by Augustus in the 1st century BC and named for his sister Octavia, this grand colonnaded entrance once led to a complex housing temples and libraries; its surviving arch was later incorporated into a medieval fish market and church. Its position at the edge of the Jewish Ghetto, one of the oldest continuously inhabited Jewish communities in Europe, adds a layer of more recent history to the ancient ruins. Lit up at night, the columns take on a striking, almost theatrical presence against the surrounding neighborhood. Free to view and rarely crowded, it's an easy stop for anyone walking between the Theatre of Marcellus and the Ghetto's restaurants.
✨ Reasons to go
💡 Good to know
⏱️ Typical visit
20 min
🚶 Walking intensity
Easy pace
What people say
"Located in the Jewish Ghetto area and close to our hotel CitizenM, these magnificent ruins towered up lit in the evening like a hidden secret that was lost in time. It was the first Roman ruins we saw in Rome, and I was stuck by how tall and expansive the Roman buildings were when I was used to seeing pieces of broken pillars on the ground. There weren't many people around and the atmosphere felt peaceful and even sacred. Built by Emperor Augustus around 27 BC and dedicated to his sister, Octavia Minor. Some of the portico that led to temples, libraries, art, and meeting area is still there and it later was used as a fish market. Today, it is a symbolic gateway into the Jewish Ghetto. You can see the layers of 2,000 years of history - ancient Roman columns, medieval changes, and a church in the ruins."
— Claire WithLove
