Among Rome's ancient ruins and Baroque masterpieces rises an unexpected architectural silhouette – the Pyramid of Cestius. Built in the 1st century BC as a tomb in Egyptian style, this unique structure tells a story of Roman "Egyptomania" and cultural influence across the Mediterranean.
Tucked away in the Ostiense neighborhood, the pyramid remains off the typical tourist routes but impresses with its mystique and contrast. Whether you're a history buff, architecture enthusiast, or simply looking for unusual places to visit in Rome – this is a stop that will surprise you.
If you didn't know there's a pyramid in Rome, you're not alone.
Although it's located in the city center and dates from the 1st century BC (the same era as the Colosseum), the Roman pyramid has never been promoted as a tourist attraction and was closed to visitors for many years.
As a result, the Roman pyramid is off most itineraries for first-time Rome visitors. Usually the pyramid is "discovered" either when people pass by it or if it's recommended as an interesting historical site to detour to when going to dinner in the nearby Testaccio neighborhood.
Despite this lack of fame, the pyramid is worth seeing, if not necessarily inside, then at least from outside.
The pyramid is located in one of the most distinctive and typically Roman corners of the city, which is very beautiful, especially in spring.
What Is the Roman Pyramid?
Rome's pyramid is an ancient building shaped like an Egyptian pyramid.
It dates from the 1st century BC and was built as a funerary monument for a wealthy Roman official - Gaius Cestius, who demanded his tomb be built in the style of the pharaohs.
The pyramid is called Piramide Cestia in Italian or even just "Piramide" by Romans, and in English is usually called the Pyramid of Cestius or Pyramid of Rome.
Is the Pyramid in Rome Worth Seeing?
The Pyramid of Cestius (Piramide Cestia) is an interesting and beautiful building, but whether it's worth seeing depends on how much time you have in Rome and what type of attractions you like.
I think the pyramid is worth seeing if you're in the area or don't mind walking to it and going at a time when you can enter the so-called Protestant Cemetery nearby - this is a lovely corner of Rome and offers the best view of the pyramid.
I also think it may be worth seeing the pyramid inside or out if you're interested in history and want more than what you can see during standard ancient Rome tours.
On the other hand, if you're not in this area and don't have a special interest in history, then I think you can skip it.
I believe this is above all a beautiful corner of the Italian capital, so if you're nearby it's definitely worth seeing, but the pyramid probably isn't something to change your plans for.
Fun fact for cat lovers! Rome has special laws protecting stray cats and the Roman pyramid is one of the areas where they can roam undisturbed! If you visit, you'll probably meet some of the cats and maybe even some volunteers who feed them! If you love cats, this is a great place to visit, and also a fun spot if you're in Rome with kids who want to play with cats.
Is the Pyramid in Rome Egyptian?
The Pyramid of Cestius is an Egyptian-style pyramid but isn't from Egypt.
The materials, design, and workmanship are entirely Italian, and although the pyramid is clearly influenced by Egyptian pyramids, Rome's pyramid has proportions very different from the originals. Even an untrained eye can notice this.
The Roman pyramid is significantly thinner and sharper than Egyptian ones!
It's not clear why there's this difference, but there are some interpretations.
One is that using cement allowed for a taller structure and therefore the shape was deliberate to give the pyramid the greatest possible height.
Others think this may be because the inspiration for the pyramid came from those at Jebel Barkal, now in Sudan, which really are much steeper.
Whatever interpretation we choose, it's possible this pyramid and perhaps another in Rome that historians have reason to believe existed were the basis for the incorrect representation of pyramids in European paintings for the following centuries!
Why Is There a Pyramid in Rome?
Looking at the Pyramid of Cestius, we'd easily think this particular monument is the creation of an extravagant rich person who admired Egyptian culture and architecture.
This, however, would be only part of the truth.
Especially in the first century, Egypt was significant to Rome's inhabitants.
People in the city knew about the conquest of this ancient land, which became a Roman province in 30 BC, and the influence of its art and aesthetics was so strong that archaeologists speak of a true Egyptomania or Egyptophilia that took hold of Rome.
The pyramid is just one example of it.
Many obelisks also came to Rome from Egypt (although not all we see today are actually from Egypt), and the city acquired several temples to the Egyptian deity Isis, some of which can still be seen today in Rome and Pompeii.
How Tall Is the Pyramid of Cestius? What's It Made Of?
The Pyramid of Cestius is over 36 meters (118 feet) tall and has a square base of 30 meters (98 feet).
Inside it has a burial chamber decorated with religious paintings, traces of which we can still see, probably an apotheosis of Cestius himself, with nymphs and Nike bearing garlands and crowns.
The Roman pyramid is made of calcestruzzo (a type of cement), bricks, and decorated with marble slabs.
It was originally surrounded by stone walls, which are partially visible today, 4 decorative columns, and two bronze statues that are no longer there.
Where Is the Pyramid of Rome Located? What's Nearby?
The Roman pyramid is located at Piazzale San Paolo, in the Ostiense neighborhood.
When it was built, it would have been quite outside the city center, but today it's at a busy intersection, close to both a large tram stop and a metro station (Piramide) and even the train (the city train to Ostia Antica passes through here).
The easiest way to reach the pyramid is either by metro or tram, and you can also walk there from the Colosseum - the walk will take about 10 minutes and is downhill.
Once you're in the area, there are several other attractions worth seeing:
- The so-called "Protestant Cemetery," which is a lovely place to visit in itself and offers the best view of the pyramid.
- Testaccio - a wonderful neighborhood, popular mainly among lovers of delicious Italian food
- Centrale Montemartini, a wonderful museum with ancient sculptures and mosaics housed in an old power plant
- Baths of Caracalla, one of the most impressive Roman ruins in the entire city
- Aventine Hill and the not-so-secret Aventine Keyhole - a fun "keyhole" opening an unexpected view of St. Peter's Dome
How to Visit the Pyramid in Rome?
To see the pyramid from outside, it's enough to reach Porta San Paolo (Porta San Paolo) - the pyramid is at the center of a busy intersection and you can't miss it!
However, the view from here isn't great, mainly because of the usually heavy traffic.
The best view of the Pyramid of Cestius is from the so-called Protestant Cemetery. You reach it from the back of the pyramid via a small road called Via Caio Cestio, and access is free (donations are always welcome).
You'll see the pyramid best if you turn left after entering the cemetery.
To see the pyramid from inside, you need a ticket, which you can purchase here.
Interesting! On May 1, 2020, Rome's "soprintendenza" (the body that controls archaeological work in Rome) published a new video allowing a peek inside the pyramid!
I hope you enjoyed this overview of the Roman pyramid in Rome. Happy planning for your trip to the Italian capital!