A Complex You Shouldn't Miss

A visit to the Tomb of Caecilia Metella offers far more than you'd expect: beyond the great Roman tomb, it takes in a medieval castle, a Gothic church, and one of the most beautiful stretches of the Appian Way. Here's what to see.

The Tower and the Bucrania Frieze

The heart of the site is the tomb itself: an imposing cylindrical tower of masonry, once crowned by a mound of earth and clad in travertine. A graceful frieze of garlands and bucrania (ox-skull motifs) runs around the top, the decorative theme that earned the area its nickname, "Capo di Bove" (Ox Head). Inside lies the burial chamber, now open to the sky.

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The Castrum Caetani

In the 14th century the Caetani family turned the tomb into the tower of a fortified castle (the Castrum Caetani), which controlled traffic along the Appian Way. Today the crenellated walls, the castle's rooms, and a small exhibition trail of finds from the Appian Way survive. We cover it in depth here: the Caetani castle.

The Church of San Nicola

Beside the castle stand the remains of the church of San Nicola di Bari (St Nicholas), a rare example of Gothic architecture in Rome, with its pointed-arch windows. Ruined though it is, it keeps a distinct charm and rounds out the complex's medieval picture.

The Circus of Maxentius and the Appian Way

A short distance away lie the Circus of Maxentius (one of the best-preserved Roman circuses) and the gorgeous stretch of Roman paving stones on the Via Appia Antica, lined with more funerary monuments. Together they form a one-of-a-kind archaeological and scenic route.

How to Plan Your Visit

  1. Admire the tower of the tomb and the bucrania frieze
  2. Explore the Castrum Caetani and the exhibition trail
  3. Take in the Gothic church of San Nicola
  4. Continue on to the Circus of Maxentius
  5. Walk the Roman paving stones of the Via Appia Antica

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you see at the Tomb of Caecilia Metella? The great cylindrical tower with its bucrania frieze, the Castrum Caetani (medieval castle), the Gothic church of San Nicola, and the beautiful stretch of the Via Appia Antica, with the Circus of Maxentius close by.

What are bucrania? They are ox skulls carved as a decorative motif on the tomb's frieze; they gave the area its nickname, "Capo di Bove" (Ox Head).

What is the Castrum Caetani? The medieval castle the Caetani family built in the 14th century, incorporating the tomb as its tower to control the Appian Way.

Can you go inside the tomb? Yes, the visitor route includes the burial chamber and the castle's rooms. Check hours and access on the official site.

What's in the surrounding area? The Circus of Maxentius, the Roman paving stones of the Via Appia Antica with their funerary monuments, the Villa dei Quintili, and the catacombs.

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Article #495 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026