On the Ides of March – 15th March – 44BC Julius Caesar was murdered, reportedly in Rome’s central Largo di Torre Argentina. From tomorrow (Tuesday 20th June), the area will be open to the public.
Julius Caesar’s murder by aggrieved senators in 44BC was popularised by William Shakespeare. Upon seeing his friend Brutus amongst his murderers, Shakespeare had Caesar utter the immortal words, ‘et tu Brute?’
The city of Rome will open the archaeological site in Largo di Torre Argentina to the public for the first time on Tuesday. It follows a major development project sponsored by luxury jeweller Bulgari. Publicised in 2021, it took two years rather than the anticipated one to open the site for public access.
Now home to a popular cat sanctuary, until now the public had to view the sunken site from behind barriers at street level.
The new itinerary offers information in English and Italian tracing the history of the ancient site down through the centuries. It was rediscovered during Fascist period demolitions.
A ‘walk through history’
As one of several projects supported by Bulgari, visitors can now ‘walk through history’ on raised paths around the site.
The walkways offer close-up views of the four Roman Republican temples, and the remains of Pompey’s Theatre.
There are also two new exhibition areas in the portico of the mediaeval Torre del Papito, plus below the street level on Via di S. Nicola de’ Cesarini. On view are finds including fragments of epigraphs, sarcophagi, and architectural decorations. There are also two heads of colossal statues representing divinities once venerated at the site.
Visit Details
Entry is from Via di S. Nicola De’ Cesarini, with tickets available at the Torre del Papito.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday from 9.30am to 7pm (4pm during low-season). Last entry 1 hours before closing.
Cost: €5 for non-reidents; €4 for residents
Visits last up to 45 minutes.
Bulgari’s contribution to Rome conservation
Founded in Rome in 1884, Bulgari has funded several restorations in the city, including the Spanish Steps.
The opening of the area sacra at Largo Argentina comes two weeks after Bulgari inaugurated a five-star hotel beside the Mausoleum of Augustus in Rome’s historic centre.
Rome’s culture councillor Miguel Gotor said, “One of the most beautiful and precious places in Rome is finally fully usable by Roman citizens and tourists, who from now on will be able to see from nearby wonderful archaeological finds from various periods of the history of our city.”
Underlining the “deep bond we have with Rome”, Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin said, “We are proud to have contributed to finally making this archaeological and architectural jewel accessible to citizens and tourists, a precious testimony to the fascinating overlapping of eras and styles that makes the Eternal City unique in the world.”
Rome superintendent Claudio Parisi Presicce said “a very important area has been returned to the city, allowing everyone to admire a cross-section of history spanning more than two millennia.”