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Pyramid of Caius Cestius

Name: Pyramid of Caius Cestius
Rating: 4.3

4.3 ·

Discover the Pyramid of Caius Cestius, a genuine Egyptian-style tomb rising unexpectedly in Rome. See its sharp white marble form fused into the Aurelian Walls, then wander next door to the atmospheric Protestant Cemetery.

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Reasons to go

Built as the tomb of magistrate Gaius Cestius after Rome's conquest of Egypt made Egyptian style fashionable
Its survival is due to being built directly into the Aurelian Walls
Interior visits are rare and require advance booking, so it's normally seen only from outside

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Full description

Constructed as a tomb for the magistrate Gaius Cestius after Rome's conquest of Egypt sparked a fashion for Egyptian aesthetics, the pyramid was later incorporated directly into the Aurelian Walls, which is why it still stands so intact today. Its clean white marble facing and sharp geometric form look distinctly out of place among Rome's classical ruins, which is exactly what makes it memorable.

It sits beside the Protestant Cemetery, the atmospheric burial ground of Keats and Shelley, making the two a natural pairing. A quick, unusual stop that rewards curiosity more than a long visit.

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Address

Via Raffaele Persichetti, 00153 Roma RM, Italy · San Saba

Website

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Hours

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Booking

Walk-in

Duration

20 min

Best time

morning, lunchtime or afternoon

Intensity

Easy pace

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Good to know

Pair it with the adjacent Non-Catholic (Protestant) Cemetery, burial place of Keats and Shelley
it's easily reached by the Piramide Metro stop
interior visits are rare and require advance booking, so most people view it from outside.

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Reviews

The in is definitely worth a visit! 🏛️✨ It’s very easy to get there by bus (only €1.50), and the pyramid is clearly visible, so you won’t miss it. A big plus is its location – it’s right next to a station, from which you can reach the seaside in just about 15 minutes. Such a great combination of history and…

Ola Sobala

2/5

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