Why there's a Pyramid in Rome? The charming history of Cestius Pyramid

It might seem strange, but it is true: in the heart of Rome there is a Pyramid and it is a real pyramid, just like those of Ancient Egypt. Built in a flash in the 1st century BC by order of a wealthy Roman politician overwhelmed by the fascination for Ancient Egypt, who wanted it as his funeral monument.

It seems like an unusual case, yet in that period due to a rampant Egyptomania there were other pyramids in Rome, would you have ever imagined it? But the Pyramid of Cestius is the only one that survived and is located in a rather magical place. Come with us to discover the surprising story of the Pyramid of Cestius in Rome and the advice and information you need to know if you want to visit it.

In 31 BC after the conquest of Egypt by Rome, Egyptomania began to spread throughout the empire, the Pyramid of Cestius is the greatest testimony of that period. Caius Cestius, a powerful politician, member of the priestly college of the Epulones, expressed in his will the desire for a peculiar tomb in the shape of a pyramid, to be built just outside the city walls, along the consular road of the Via Ostiense where at the time there was only boundless countryside.

The strange thing is that he wanted it to be built in just, and exactly, 330 days and so it happened. The Pyramid of Cestius was erected around 18 BC. Over the years it has remained intact and has watched the city around it grow until it has incorporated it; in fact, around 270 AD the Pyramid was incorporated into the Aurelian Walls, defensive walls of Rome built by the Emperor Aurelian, which you can still admire today. Today the Pyramid is completely inserted in the heart of the city. But what is the secret of the Pyramid?

In 46 BC when Cleopatra made her entrance into Rome with elephants, dancers in silk dresses and wagons loaded with gifts, she was admired, perhaps even criticized, but she was undoubtedly the protagonist of all the Roman salons, it is not strange therefore to think that the fascination for that oriental culture was already present in the air and when Rome took control of Egypt, it was a continuous adornment of the city with obelisks, artifacts and also imitation of some Egyptian habits.

Caius Cestius was not the only one to choose a pyramid-shaped funeral monument. In Rome at that time there were at least three others. Two in the area of Piazza del Popolo where today the twin churches stand, and in fact under the two churches the remains are still found, another called Meta Romuli stood along Via della Conciliazione and was destroyed by Pope Alexander VI Borgia on the occasion of the Jubilee of the time.

The Pyramid of Cestius in Rome is 36.40 meters high with a square base of 29.50 m on each side, the external covering is made of slabs of Luni marble, which shine in the sun and will attract your gaze and your curiosity. Ironically, in the very year of construction a law was promulgated against the ostentation of luxury; therefore, not all the precious tapestries and other riches were placed in the burial chamber as Caius Cestius would have wanted.

The burial chamber that you will find is approximately 23 square meters large, has a barrel vault and was walled up at the time of burial, following the Egyptian custom. The first violation of the tomb dates back to the Middle Ages, the tomb robbers managed to dig a tunnel penetrating inside and unfortunately many finds disappeared. Are you curious to know what you will find today inside the Pyramid?

Visiting the Pyramid of Cestius is an adventure that we recommend, both for the thrill that will run down your spine at the thought of exploring such an ancient monument that has remained unchanged over the years, and because, as we know, these places are always full of a strange evocative charm. You will have to pay attention to all the details, on the outside the Pyramid will appear to you as it did at the time of its construction, except for the fact that at the time there were columns on each of the 4 corners, you can still see the columns, but today they are on the ground; one of the columns is in the garden in front, today occupied by the beautiful non-Catholic cemetery, which we strongly suggest you see.

You will access the Pyramid from a small entrance that will lead you into a tunnel, at the time of the burial right in front of the entrance there were two gilded bronze statues, the remains of which are today in the Capitoline Museums. The interior of the burial chamber is entirely frescoed with delicate female and natural subjects.

The pyramid is now open to the public and is definitely worth a visit. It is located south of the historic center, near Porta San Paolo, the entrance is on Via Raffaele Persichetti. It is very easy to reach, the place is well connected by public transport. Many buses and trams end right in front of it, in particular lines 23, 75, 280 and 716 and trams 3 and 8. Nearby you will find the Piramide station of the Metro Line B, as well as the stop for the train coming from Lido di Ostia and the Ostiense train stop, on Piazzale dei Partigiani a few hundred meters away.

To visit the Pyramid, booking is essential on the website of the Superintendence of Archaeological Heritage of Rome. The Pyramid follows extraordinary openings decided by the superintendency and is also open for visits, always by reservation on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month for individuals at 11.00 am and for groups from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm. Keep in mind that a great tool for visiting Rome with ease is to consider a Pass like the Visit Rome Pass, which in a single card includes access to all the main attractions and unlimited use of public transport of Rome.