Column of Marcus Aurelius

Unbelievably detailed work. You look up and think, “How did they even do this without drones, scaffolding, or a 3D printer?” 😄 The carvings spiral upward like an ancient comic strip, telling the story of the Roman campaigns against the Germanic tribes — all in marble, from the 2nd century. The column stands over 30 meters tall, and while most tourists just breeze past on their way to gelato, it’s worth stopping and staring. This is no boring stick in the sky.

The column that dominates the square it was inspired by the Trojan column, and it was erected in 180 AD and 193 AD. The column is 100 Roman feet high and is made of 27 cylindrical stone blocks of marble. All around it, it has been sculptured with relief relics of the military campaigns of Marcus Aurelious. On top is a bronze statue of St. Paul. There is a spiral staircase that runs through the central.

When in Rome, it’s always worth stopping to look at the stories being told—especially when they’re carved in stone. The Column of Marcus Aurelius, standing proudly in Piazza Colonna, is one of those monuments that rewards anyone who takes the time to truly look. Built between 180 and 193 AD, this towering column (about 39 meters high) was inspired by Trajan’s Column and commemorates Emperor Marcus Aurelius’ military campaigns against the Germanic tribes and the Sarmatians. The intricate spiral relief that winds its way up the shaft tells a dramatic, almost cinematic story of these battles—Roman soldiers crossing rivers, storming fortifications, and engaging in fierce combat, all under the watchful eye of the emperor himself. One of the most striking scenes is the so-called “Rain Miracle,” where divine intervention is depicted as a god-like figure sending a torrential downpour to aid the Roman army. Though time and weathering have softened the details, the craftsmanship is still remarkable. Unlike Trajan’s Column, which originally had a bronze statue of Trajan at the top, this one now features a statue of St. Paul, added in the 16th century by Pope Sixtus V. Piazza Colonna itself is a pleasant spot to pause, with its mix of ancient and modern Rome all around. Whether you’re passing through or making a dedicated visit, the Column of Marcus Aurelius is one of those historical treasures that remind you why Rome is called the Eternal City.

If you didn't know any better you'd think that you're standing next to the Column of Trajan, that's how similar they are. The Column of Marcus Aurelius is located in a less scenic space, in a smallish plaza with a busy street next to it and a parking lot all around it. It is still impressive and well preserved. There isn't any kind of explanation of what you're looking at which dampens the experience a little bit.

Work in progress just like half the city as of April 2025. Nonetheless a fine piece of art... if you have eyes with zoom. Or some tech device...

The Column of Marcus Aurelius, located in Piazza Colonna in Rome, is a striking monument celebrating the emperor's military victories. Erected in the late 2nd century AD, it features detailed carvings that spiral up the column, depicting scenes from his campaigns. Originally topped with a statue of Marcus Aurelius, it now features a statue of St. Paul (:/). This historic landmark is a testament to Rome's rich history and artistic heritage.

Similar to the Column of Trajan but in this case being the centre of a square. The thing is that immensely valuable pieces like these seem to be so common for present day Romans that they don't bother much with them, so there's not the information one could expect by these monuments, specially in what concerns the incredible amount of carved scenes depicted on them.

An amazing piece of history dedicated to the miliary victories of Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome from 161-180 AD. The story of his campaigns against the Germanic tribes is told in the inscriptions that spiral around the column. In the year 1588 the original statue of Marcus Aurelius was removed at the order of Pope Sixtus V and replaced by a statue of St. Paul. If you enjoy history, or just amazing feats of engineering by the Romans, it's worth checking out.

So beautifully and intricately carved. Worth seeing day or night if you're in the area. Not crazy busy like so many of the other sites in Rome.

"Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one." -Marcus Aurelius This massive 97 foot tall column dates back to at least 193 AD and was built to honor Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. It tells the story of the Marcomannic wars from 172 to 175. The column stands in the center of Piazza Colonna and at night, it is beautifully lit. I did not have the opportunity to return during the daytime but was still able to appreciate the majesty and craftsmanship of the column that is now close to 2000 years old. Amazing. [Review 19194 overall - 349 in Italy - 164 of 2023.]

I geeked out when unexpectedly turned a corner, and found myself coming out to this square with this column, as am a total fan-girl of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius philosophical writings (My fave quote from Meditations is: "Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them." The column has rich, detailed and beautiful carvings that go up in a spiral and it's basically the story of Marcus Aurelius' life. The carvings are spectacular, and le sigh! It was such a thrill to be able to check out this column in person. I love that aspect of being in Roma, how around every corner, this is a history lesson! Yelp 286/ 2018

UPDATED: The Column of Marcus Aurelius (Colonna di Marco Aurelio), an ancient victory column in Piazza Colonna. It documents Emperor Marcus Aurelius' war against the Marcomanni in 172 AD and the Sarmatians 174 AD. The Column of Marcus Aurelius was modeled on an earlier triumphal column, built 80-years before, Trajan's Column. [Forgive this digression, but it is way too hard to see any detail on either The Column of Marcus Aurelius or Trajan's Column from ground level. But there is a spectacular, free app (really free, no in-app purchases!) called "Trajan's Column" (by Mondadori Electa S.p.A.) at the Apple App Store. It is OMG STUNNING! There is also an Italian language version, "Colonna Traiana" (by Mondadori Electa S.p.A.) at the Apple App Store. I hope Electra will do a similar app for The Column of Marcus Aurelius.]