The site of Caesar's assassination
The actual ground where Julius Caesar fell in 44 BC — a historical moment you can stand precisely beside.
Wknight94 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ptyx — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Álvaro de la Paz Franco — CC0 · Sonse — CC BY 2.0
An archaeological pit in the middle of a busy traffic circle — holding four Republican temples among the oldest surviving in Rome (fourth to second century BC), and behind them the remains of the Curia of Pompey: the hall where Julius Caesar was assassinated on 15 March 44 BC. The actual site of the event that changed history, not a replica or a guess. It was found by accident in 1929 during demolition for a new quarter; Mussolini halted the project and left the pit exposed. For ninety years it could only be seen from above, until walkways opened in 2023 — making it one of the newest things to visit in Rome, and one of the cheapest. The other surprise: the site has been an official cat sanctuary for decades. Hundreds of cats live among the columns, cared for by a volunteer association with a small office inside the pit that welcomes visitors — one of Rome's strangest and most endearing details.
The actual ground where Julius Caesar fell in 44 BC — a historical moment you can stand precisely beside.
Among Rome's oldest surviving temples, visible free from street level at any hour — including lit at night.
A colony living among the columns for decades under volunteer care — a purely Roman detail.
Largo di Torre Argentina, Rome
Fontana delle TartarugheA small fountain in a quiet square inside the Jewish Quarter, which many conside2 minutes walk4.4
PantheonThe most complete Roman building we have, and the world's largest unreinforced c5 minutes walk4.9
Piazza d'AracoeliA small square at the foot of the Capitoline Hill in Rome, where two famous stai5 minutes walk4.5
Palazzo VeneziaRome's first great Renaissance palace — and the most famous balcony in modern It5 minutes walk4.6
Barracco Museum of Ancient SculptureThe building has been carrying the wrong name for five centuries. Its cornices a5 minutes walk4.5Looking for halal food near largo di Torre Argentina? There are several options nearby, from Moroccan and Indian kitchens to quick casual spots and places with a view. Confirm the halal status and opening hours before you go — these can change.
The free view explains the layout; descending gives you scale, proximity to the assassination site, and the cat sanctuary. At a nominal fee, worth it if you're passing anyway.
Twenty to thirty minutes on the walkways. Make it a stop between the Pantheon and Trastevere — it sits exactly halfway.
