An Egyptian pyramid in the heart of Rome

Almost no one expects it, but Rome has a real pyramid. The Piramide di Caio Cestio (Pyramid of Cestius, also called the Piramide Cestia) rises roughly 36 metres near Porta San Paolo, between the Testaccio and Ostiense neighborhoods. Clad in slabs of white Carrara marble, it is the monument that best captures the Egyptian fashion that swept through Rome after Augustus conquered Egypt (31-30 BC). It is one of the city's most surprising and photogenic landmarks.

The story: a magistrate's tomb

The pyramid was built between 18 and 12 BC as the monumental tomb of Gaio Cestio (Epulone), a wealthy Roman magistrate. The inscriptions on its faces record that it went up in just 330 days. Its slender, sharply pointed shape (closer to the Nubian pyramids than to those of Giza) reflects exactly the Egyptian fashion of the era. Centuries later it was incorporated into the Aurelian Walls, and that is how the pyramid has survived to this day, becoming one of the symbols of this corner of Rome.

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What to see at the Pyramid and nearby

The Pyramid is free to admire from the outside, but the area has much more to offer:

  • The Piramide Cestia, with its white marble cladding.
  • Porta San Paolo, one of the best-preserved gates in the Aurelian Walls.
  • The Cimitero Acattolico (the Non-Catholic, or "Protestant," Cemetery), with the graves of Keats and Shelley and its famous cats.
  • The Testaccio neighborhood and Monte dei Cocci.
  • Centrale Montemartini and the Ostiense district, with its street art.

We dig deeper into what to see in our guide on what to see around the Pyramid.

Visiting the interior

The inside of the pyramid (with its small frescoed burial chamber) can be visited only on specific occasions and dates, usually on a guided tour by reservation. For hours, dates, and details, you'll find everything in our guide Piramide Cestia: hours and visits.

How to get there

The Pyramid couldn't be easier to reach: it sits right next to Piramide station (Metro Line B) and the Porta San Paolo stop on the Metromare. You'll find all the details in our guide how to get to the Piramide Cestia.

Frequently asked questions

Why is there a pyramid in Rome? It's the monumental tomb of Gaio Cestio, a Roman magistrate, built between 18 and 12 BC in the "Egyptian" style that was fashionable in Rome after Augustus conquered Egypt.

How tall is the Piramide Cestia? About 36 metres, clad in slabs of white marble. According to the inscriptions, it was raised in just 330 days.

Can you go inside the Pyramid? The interior, with its frescoed burial chamber, can be visited only on specific dates and usually on a guided tour by reservation. Check the current openings.

Where is the Pyramid located? Near Porta San Paolo, between Testaccio and Ostiense, next to Piramide station (Metro Line B). It is built into the Aurelian Walls.

What is there to see near the Pyramid? Porta San Paolo, the Cimitero Acattolico (graves of Keats and Shelley), Testaccio with Monte dei Cocci, Centrale Montemartini, and Ostiense.

See also

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Article #462 · Category: Monuments · Updated: May 2026