Pyramid of Cestius

Rome, Italy

The Pyramid of Cestius is an ancient pyramid in Rome. Due to its incorporation into the city's fortifications, it is today one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in Rome.

The pyramid was built about 18–12 BC as a tomb for Gaius Cestius, a magistrate and member of one of the four great religious corporations in Rome, the Septemviri Epulonum. The sharply pointed shape of the pyramid is strongly reminiscent of the pyramids of Nubia, in particular of the kingdom of Meroë, which had been attacked by Rome in 23 BC. The similarity suggests that Cestius had possibly served in that campaign and perhaps intended the pyramid to serve as a commemoration.

The pyramid is of brick-faced concrete covered with slabs of white marble standing on a travertine foundation. The pyramid measures 29.6 m square at the base and stands 37m high.

In the interior is the burial chamber, a simple barrel-vaulted rectangular cavity. When opened in 1660, the chamber was found to be decorated with frescoes, which were recorded by Pietro Santi Bartoli. Only scant traces of these frescoes survive, and no trace of any other contents. The tomb had been sealed when it was built, with no exterior entrance, but had been plundered at some time thereafter, probably during antiquity. Until the end of restoration works in 2015, it was not possible for visitors to access the interior, except by special permission typically only granted to scholars. Since the beginning of May 2015, the pyramid is open to the public every second and fourth Saturday each month. Visitors must arrange their visit in advance.

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Address

Piazzale Ostiense 11, Rome, Italy
See all sites in Rome

Details

Founded: 18-12 BC
Category: Cemeteries, mausoleums and burial places in Italy

More Information

www.atlasobscura.com
www.livius.org
en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Colosseum (1,8 km)
Sistine Chapel (3,7 km)
Arch of Constantine (1,7 km)
St. Peter's Basilica (3,6 km)
Basilica of Santa Maria in Ara Coeli (2 km)
Altare della Patria (2 km)
St. Peter's Square (3,5 km)
Pantheon (2,5 km)
Vatican Historical Museum (4 km)


Villa d'Este (27,8 km)

User Reviews

Deepa Mohite Jadhav (2 months ago)
It's a silent pyramid with not many visitors. We spent time at a cafe admiring the view
Hagop Araklian (3 months ago)
Finding a pyramid built centuries ago... well not in Egypt it's in the heart of the Roman empire... very interesting.
Attique Hashmi (3 months ago)
Nice and Calm place to Visit in rome. Not Much important because except of the pyramid there is nothing to See. So if you are going to visit Vatican city. You can visit this place as an Option.
Doram Jacoby (4 months ago)
A nice pyramid. I wouldn't come here just to see it but it's great to stop and see on the way somewhere.
Callum Duncan (5 months ago)
Rather fascinating to see this old monument. It really looks out of place and there is a old wall joined on one side like it was absorbed into the wall long ago. Well worth visiting if in the area.
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