Pyramid of Caius Cestius

Historical landmark · Testaccio ·

Pyramid of Caius Cestius

Historical landmark · Testaccio ·

Ancient Egyptian-style tomb, Roman ambition, striking architecture

Information

Via Raffaele Persichetti, 00153 Roma RM, Italy Get directions

@dansacks

48 Postcards · 3 Cities

Flavio Velavodette--really amazing restaurant in Testaccio, a fun neighborhood with lots of dance places and a real PYRAMID!

Rome 2026

Pyramid of Caius Cestius

@silverkris

10,054 Postcards · 2,273 Cities

Experience Italy's best-kept secrets at these 6 hidden gems in Rome - SilverKris

"An unusual 2,000-year-old Egyptian-style tomb rising about 36 metres at a busy junction near Porta San Paolo in the Ostiense quarter, notable for its interior frescoed burial chambers and its association with Gaius Cestius of the Epulones religious corporation. The site offers a distinctly cinematic, Indiana-Jones-like experience for visitors; note that access to the interior has been subject to closures, so check reopening dates before planning a visit." - SilverKris

https://silverkris.singaporeair.com/inspiration/nature-adventure/sightseeing/secret-rome-6-lesser-known-things-to-do-and-see/

Pyramid of Caius Cestius

@silverkris

10,054 Postcards · 2,273 Cities

8 quirky things to do in Rome - SilverKris

"An ancient funerary monument built around 12 BC that reflects the Romans' fascination with Egyptian architecture; its unusual pyramid form is a striking example of cultural crossover between Rome and Egypt." - SilverKris

https://silverkris.singaporeair.com/inspiration/nature-adventure/travel-tips/quirky-things-do-rome/

Pyramid of Caius Cestius

Sidónio S.

Google

Very beautiful to see from outside (almost at the metro station exit), i could not figure out how to enter the gardens, i think it's a cemitery) but it was worth the detour to see the Pyramide.

Konrad Hjalmar W.

Google

what a magical place the pyramid is located at! The building itself actually makes it even more special. This is so painfully Rome-ish: graves from centuries ago, stunning, showcasing all architectural styles, from Great Britain, the Nordics, Italy, to the very Balkan and orthodox, the place is magical.

Justin W.

Google

The mix of cultures and architecture throughout the city continually amazed me I love that it was such a melting pot of clashing yet weirdly balanced, it makes everything feel like it belongs. A fun stop in a low key really fun area.

Pavlo B.

Google

The Pyramid of Cestius is a truly unique and fascinating landmark in Rome, a stunning blend of Roman ambition and Egyptian-inspired architecture. It's an unforgettable sight, especially when viewed against the backdrop of the ancient city walls. Recently, the pyramid became a symbol of modern resilience and hope in an inspiring way. Before the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome, the monument was beautifully illuminated, not just with light, but with the stories of Ukrainians rebuilding their lives and homes. Seeing this ancient symbol of a past civilization used to highlight the strength and determination of a people in the present was incredibly moving. It was a powerful reminder of how history and current events can intersect to create moments of profound meaning. A must-see for anyone interested in history, architecture, and the human spirit.

Jelena B.

Google

It was a nice surprise to stumble across a pyramid in Rome. The pyramid, built in the 1 century BC, is a tomb of the Roman magistrate Caius Cestius. We were not able to go inside. I found out later on the internet that the individual visits to the interior of the pyramid were on the third and fourth Saturdays and Sundays of each month at 11.00, in Italian. The information was from 2022 so take it with a grain of salt.

Wayne K.

Google

A striking structure. Best of view from inside the cemetery.

Alexandru Stefan (Crazy Travel S.

Google

The small Pyramid of Cestius is a truly unique and fascinating. A landmark of Rome and a remainder of the links between The ancient Roman empire and Egypt. The pyramid it's a stunning blend of Roman ambition and Egyptian-inspired architecture. In my opinion it's a must-see for anyone interested in history, architecture, legends and the human spirit.

Pucks711

Google

Great different cool to see.. Metro station right at the front or it's a pretty good walk through some differing areas

Norbert K.

Yelp

The Pyramid of Cestius was an odd sight when I first saw it from the Ostiense railway station in Rome. Sitting among apartment houses that ring the Piazzale dei Partigiani, it looked like it was built to advertise the Piramide stop on the Metro B line. But its history is more interesting. Just outside Porta San Paolo on the Aurelian Wall, the Pyramid dates from around 15 BC, built during a period entralled with everything Egyptian. It is the last remaining pyramid standing in Rome. Visiting the Pyramid today is like stepping into 1st century BC Rome.

Sharon B.

Yelp

We didn't expect to see a pyramid in Rome! We only appreciated it from the outside as part of our vespa tour. Looks to be in great restored condition.

Chris S.

Yelp

It an interesting monument but there isn't much to it. You can walk around part of it, but one side is blocked off.

Chris R.

Yelp

Go to Egypt. This was nothing compared but considering it is the oldest ancient building in Rome (12 BC) and built for Gaius Cestius, a member of the Epulones religious corporation, it has great significance and you won't have to wait in long lines to see this pyramid!

Tania L.

Yelp

#151-2016: Ok, don't kill me PLEASE!!! But this ain't no pyramid... it is but a joke. Cestius was (as many Romans of his era) obsessed with all things Egyptian and, upon his death, had this absurd tomb erected as his resting place (must be sweet to rich). I find it tacky, a bit decadent and a sore eye in the center of a very busy intersection in in very busy neighborhood. Trying to take a picture without a bus or a car zooming past it is the ultimate prodigy. I have just found out every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month they hold tours (believe it or not). I hardly doubt I will ever want to know what it has to offer on the inside for I really do not like the outside. With all that Rome has to offer, this is the least likely I am ever going to visit. If you are interested in a bit of history of this "pyramid", here is the link to the Wikipedia page: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramid_of_Cestius

Sanjit C.

Yelp

As a sight it is undoubtedly curious, as a situation it is unfortunate - marooned in traffic. Well worth a look all the same. Near the Porta san Paolo, the Pyramid of Cestius reflected the fashion for all things Egyptian that followed Cleopatra's visit to Rome following the Roman conquest of Egypt. By all accounts Cleopatra stunned the Romans with her sense of display and extravagant living, in exquisite irony, they were conquered by her! The shape of the pyramid is reminiscent of the pyramids of Nubia, in particular those of the kingdom of Meroë (now in Sudan) which had been attacked by Rome in 23 BC. Cestius may have served in that campaign . . . (?) During the construction of the Aurelian Walls, the pyramid was incorporated into the walls to form a triangular bastion. It remains there today with busy roads either side of it . . . .

@dansacks

48 Postcards · 3 Cities

Flavio Velavodette--really amazing restaurant in Testaccio, a fun neighborhood with lots of dance places and a real PYRAMID!

Rome 2026

Pyramid of Caius Cestius

@silverkris

10,054 Postcards · 2,273 Cities

Experience Italy's best-kept secrets at these 6 hidden gems in Rome - SilverKris

https://silverkris.singaporeair.com/inspiration/nature-adventure/sightseeing/secret-rome-6-lesser-known-things-to-do-and-see/

Pyramid of Caius Cestius

@silverkris

10,054 Postcards · 2,273 Cities

8 quirky things to do in Rome - SilverKris

https://silverkris.singaporeair.com/inspiration/nature-adventure/travel-tips/quirky-things-do-rome/

Pyramid of Caius Cestius

Sidónio S.

Google

Very beautiful to see from outside (almost at the metro station exit), i could not figure out how to enter the gardens, i think it's a cemitery) but it was worth the detour to see the Pyramide.

Konrad Hjalmar W.

Google

Justin W.

Google

Pavlo B.

Google

Jelena B.

Google

Wayne K.

Google

A striking structure. Best of view from inside the cemetery.

Alexandru Stefan (Crazy Travel S.

Google

Pucks711

Google

Great different cool to see.. Metro station right at the front or it's a pretty good walk through some differing areas

Norbert K.

Yelp

Sharon B.

Yelp

We didn't expect to see a pyramid in Rome! We only appreciated it from the outside as part of our vespa tour. Looks to be in great restored condition.

Chris S.

Yelp

It an interesting monument but there isn't much to it. You can walk around part of it, but one side is blocked off.

Chris R.

Yelp

Tania L.

Yelp

Sanjit C.

Yelp

Pyramid of Caius Cestius

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Experience Italy's best-kept secrets at these 6 hidden gems in Rome - SilverKris

8 quirky things to do in Rome - SilverKris

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