The "cemetery of artists" in the shadow of the Pyramid

Right beside the Piramide Cestia (Pyramid of Cestius) hides one of the most poetic and moving spots in Rome: the Cimitero Acattolico (the Non-Catholic Cemetery, also called the English Cemetery or "Protestant Cemetery"). It's a hushed garden shaded by cypresses and pines, where poets, artists and intellectuals of every non-Catholic nationality who died in Rome lie at rest. The poet Shelley called it so beautiful "it might make one in love with death."

The graves of Keats and Shelley

The cemetery is best known for two great English Romantic poets:

  • John Keats, who died in Rome at just 25, buried beneath a stone that, by his own wish, bears no name but the line "Here lies one whose name was writ in water."
  • Percy Bysshe Shelley, whose ashes rest in the upper part of the cemetery.

For lovers of literature the world over, these are places of pilgrimage.

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The Angel of Grief

Among the most photographed sculptures is the Angel of Grief (Angelo del Dolore), the work of sculptor William Wetmore Story for his wife's tomb: an angel collapsed in despair over the gravestone, a haunting image that has inspired copies around the world. It has become one of the cemetery's signature symbols.

The cemetery cats

The Cimitero Acattolico is also famous for its cats, cared for by volunteers: they roam among the graves and cypresses, adding a touch of life and tenderness to this place of peace. For many visitors, they're an essential part of the atmosphere.

How to visit

Entry is generally allowed every day, with a suggested free-will donation toward upkeep (the amount is indicative, so check on site or on the official website); respectful, quiet behavior is expected, as this is a working cemetery. It sits on Via Caio Cestio, just steps from Piramide station (Line B).

Frequently asked questions

What is the Cimitero Acattolico in Rome? A monumental cemetery near the Piramide Cestia where non-Catholic artists, poets and intellectuals who died in Rome lie at rest, among them the poets Keats and Shelley. It's also known as the English Cemetery.

Where is Keats's grave? In the oldest part of the cemetery, with the famous epitaph "Here lies one whose name was writ in water" and, by his own wish, no name for the poet.

What is the Angel of Grief? A haunting sculpture by William Wetmore Story, an angel collapsed over his wife's tomb: one of the most famous and most photographed works in the cemetery.

How much does it cost to get in? Entry generally involves a suggested free-will donation toward upkeep. The amount is indicative: check on site or on the official website.

Can I visit it together with the Pyramid? Yes: the cemetery is right beside the Piramide Cestia and Piramide station (Line B). They're easy to see together.

See also

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Article #466 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026