A Pyramid in the heart of Rome

There is a strange Pyramid in the center of Rome, near the Acatholic Cemetery. The funereal monument was built in the 1st century BC on request by Gaius Cestius Epolo, a rich Roman praetor and member of a religious order, which organized holy banquets and games.
Thanks to the Roman conquest of Egypt in 30 BC, Gaius, as well as all members of the upper class, had the opportunity to know and appreciate the Egyptian culture.

The Pyramid is about 36,40 meters tall and it is covered with white marble; according to the inscription on the East side, this work was completed in 330 days.

The small burial chamber is located inside the building and it is decorated with paintings, which represent nymphs, winged Victories and women offering votive gifts.
During the Middle Age someone desecrated the burial chamber, ruining the inner paintings and stealing the ashes urn.
In 271 AD the Pyramid of Cestius was incorporated in the City Walls, known as Aurelian Walls, and surrounded by urban buildings, which helped to preserve the construction.
In the 14th century many intellectuals, such as the Italian writer Francesco Petrarca, named the Pyramid as Remus' tomb, brother of the legendary founder of Rome, Romulus. In the following centuries it has been tried to convert the Pyramid into a church, designed by Borromini, and also into a lightning rod placement.
Just a little curiosity! Near the Pyramid there is one of the most ancient Roman cattery called "I gatti della Piramide" (English: The Pyramid Cats), managed by an association which allows to adopt abandoned cats.

Pyramid Opening hours
The tomb can only be accessed by special permission
Reservation numbers: (+39) 06 39967700, (+39) 06 5743193

Cattery Opening hours
Open 7 days a week: 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm

Pyramid of Cestius

Burial Chamber



Pyramid cat

Other guests of Pyramid Cattery

Happy Birthday Rome!

Today we celebrate Rome's Birthday (Italian: Natale di Roma)! The legend says that Romulus and Remus, twin sons of Mars and the Vestal Rea Silvia, decided to build a town on the banks of the river Tiber. They quarreled over founding the city and Remus was killed by his brother. Romulus founded Rome on the Palatine Hill in 753 BC and Romans started to count years from this date, using the Latin expression "Ab Urbe Condita", which means "from the founding of the city".
Emperor Augustus decided to commemorate this day with an ancient rite called "Palilia" which was dedicated to"Pales" or "Pale", an archaic rural goddess.
Romans celebrated this ceremony on 21 April, which was regarded as the first day of spring.
During this event, the shepherds were used to wash their cattle, prepare flatbreads and the "burranica", a drink made up of milk and must.
For many centuries the Foundation Day was put on the back burner but it became popular again in 1870, when Rome was incorporated into Italian Reign.
The first historical parade was organized in 1902 and a lot of citizens took part in it dressing as Ancient Romans.
Every year the city celebrates its birth organizing different events, such as shows, free museums and the parade, obviously !

Parade Starting Time
Circus Maximus: 11.30 am (Imperial Fora: 12.00 am).

Museums open with free admission
Centrale Montemartini, Museo dell'Ara Pacis, Museo Barracco, Galleria d'Arte Moderna di Roma Capitale, Museo Canonica, Museo della Memoria Garibaldina, Museo delle Mura, Villa di Massenzio, Museo Civico di Zoologia, MACRO Testaccio.

Temporary exhibition fees apply in the following museums:
Musei Capitolini: € 3,50; special ridottissimo ticket € 2,00;
Musei di Villa Torlonia - Casino Nobile: € 2,50;
Mercati di Traiano: € 1,50;
Museo Carlo Bilotti: € 1,50;
Museo Napoleonico: € 1,50;
Museo di Roma: € 1,50;
MACRO (via Nizza): € 4,00.



Rome seven Hills



Romulus and Remus

Parade

Way of the Cross at Colosseum

This Friday Pope Francis will lead the annual procession of the"Way of the Cross" at Colosseum.
The Flavian Amphitheatre is the symbol of Rome and its construction began under the emperor Vespasian in 70 AD. It hosted gladiators and many public shows, but in 1750 Pope Benedict XIV decided to commemorate the Passion on Good Friday with a procession. He ordered to place fourteen representations of the Stations of the "Way of the Cross"in the Colosseum, but they have been removed years later and today we can only see a cross in memory of it.
As Rome became part of the Italian Kingdom in 1870, people started to be less interested in this Catholic custom .
When in 1964 Pope Paul VI brought back the"Way of the Cross"in the Colosseum the procession was broadcast in Eurovision for the first time and later, in 1977, shown on tv worldwide too.
In 1984 Pope John Paul II composed the comments to the stations and thanks to him, since 1985, actors, authors and celebrities can write the texts of reflections.
Every year thousand of pilgrims and Romans see the rite outside the Amphitheatre praying all together. The procession starts at 9.10 p.m. and you can join the spiritual atmosphere going there today early or watching the event live on RaiUno.

Way of the Cross at Colosseum

Other view of Colosseum

The mistery behind the Mouth of Truth

Everyday a lot of tourists visit the Mouth of Truth (Italian: “Bocca della Verità”), which is set in the portico of the medieval Church S. Maria in Cosmedin, near Circus Maximus.
The Roman marble disc was created during the 4^th Century BC  and represents a colossal face, portrayed with eyes, nose and nostrils opened, probably a river god.
The most accepted theory about the “Mouth” is that it was used as manhole cover in order to canalize large amounts of water into the Cloaca Maxima, the first Roman sewage system built by the king Tarquinius Superbus in the 7^th century BC. The nickname comes from a medieval tradition which tells us that the face closes its mouth if a liar sticks his hand in it.
According to the legend the emperor Julian the Apostate cheated a woman and the crowd forced him to prove his honesty to the Mouth. The devil spoke to the emperor from the sculpture and helped him, who promised to restore the Paganism in Rome.
The other stories talk about an husband, who having doubts about his wife’s loyalty, asked her to put the hand in the Mouth. She managed to save her life thanks to a stratagem planned by the lover .
The sculpture was placed in the Church in the 17^th century  and became more popular in 1953 thanks to the film Roman Holiday. In the “Mouth of Truth” scene the American journalist Joe tricks the frightened princess Ann into believing his hand was bitten off.
Gregory Peck told that the scene was improvised by him and so the Audrey Hepburn’s terrified reaction is real.
Are you ready to put your hand in the Mouth of Truth?

Opening time
Open 7 days a week
Wintertime (nov-mar): 9.30-17.00
Summertime (oct-apr): 9.30-18.00

Tickets
Free admission

Mouth of Truth

Roman Holiday

 

S.Maria in Cosmedin
 

Rome sweet Home!

Welcome to C’è Roma e Roma “English version”. This blog started as an Italian page about our city and its famous masterpieces as well as its lesser known attractions. Reading the posts you will find news on Roman’s cultural heritage, traditional stories and hidden places to discover.
Rome offers such a variety of artistic sites, traditions and events that many visitors leave thinking to come back and every single time they find something new.
Today we launch the English blog rewriting the article about The Mouth of Truth and its legend.
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Buon viaggio!