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, in piazzale Ostiense, 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 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 area around the Piramide Cestia is one of the most surprising and least touristy in Rome: within a few hundred meters you'll find an Egyptian pyramid, a Roman gate, a romantic cemetery, and industrial archaeology. The Pyramid is free to admire from the outside, and the surroundings reward a slow, half-day walk.

The Pyramid of Cestius

Start at the Pyramid itself, roughly 36 metres tall and clad in white marble: the "Egyptian" tomb of a Roman magistrate, built into the Aurelian Walls. It is free to admire from the street and clearly visible from the metro stop.

Porta San Paolo

Right beside the Pyramid stands Porta San Paolo, one of the best-preserved gates in the Aurelian Walls, complete with crenellated towers. It houses the small Museo della Via Ostiense. This is where the road to Ostia and the sea once began.

The Non-Catholic Cemetery

Just a few steps away you'll find the Cimitero Acattolico (the Non-Catholic, or "Protestant," Cemetery), one of Rome's most poetic places, with the graves of Keats and Shelley, the Angel of Grief (the weeping angel), and the famous cats. See our dedicated guide to the Cimitero Acattolico.

Testaccio and the Monte dei Cocci

Heading toward the river, you step into Testaccio, an authentic neighborhood known for Roman cooking and for the Monte dei Cocci, the artificial hill built from Roman amphorae. See our guide to Testaccio and to the Monte dei Cocci.

Centrale Montemartini and Ostiense

In the opposite direction, along Via Ostiense, you'll come to the Centrale Montemartini: a former power plant turned museum, where Roman statues play off the old industrial machinery. All around, the Ostiense district is famous for its street art and large murals. Learn more with our guide to the Centrale Montemartini.

Recommended itinerary (half a day)

  1. Piramide Cestia and Porta San Paolo
  2. Cimitero Acattolico (Keats, Shelley, the cats)
  3. Testaccio and the Monte dei Cocci (a Roman lunch)
  4. Centrale Montemartini and the street art of Ostiense

Tickets and opening hours

You can admire the Pyramid for free from the outside at any time: it stands in piazzale Ostiense, beside Porta San Paolo, clearly visible from the street and from the metro stop. The interior — with its small frescoed burial chamber — can be visited only on specific dates and usually on a guided tour by reservation, managed by the Soprintendenza (heritage authority). Spaces are limited.

WhatWhenCost
ExteriorAlways visible, any timeFree
Interior (burial chamber)Specific dates only, guided tour by reservationModest fee, booking required

Interior openings are usually scheduled for a few weekends each month or during special events. The guided tour lets you step into the burial chamber of Gaio Cestio, decorated with Pompeian-style frescoes and normally closed to the public. Since the dates shift throughout the year, check the official calendar in advance and book early — hours, dates, and prices are indicative, so always confirm on the official website. Tours are often paired with the nearby Cimitero Acattolico or other sites in the area.

How to get there

The Piramide Cestia stands in piazzale Ostiense, right beside Porta San Paolo, on the boundary between the Testaccio and Ostiense districts, just south of the historic center. It's one of the easiest monuments in Rome to reach, because it sits squarely on a transport hub.

By metro

The simplest option is the Metro:

  • Piramide (Line B) — the stop is right in front of the monument: step out and it's there waiting for you. Line B connects directly to the Colosseum, Termini, and EUR, just a few minutes away.

It's one of Rome's most convenient stations for travelers heading to Testaccio, Ostiense, and San Paolo.

By train (Metromare and rail)

Next to the Metro is Porta San Paolo station, the terminus of the Metromare (formerly the Roma-Lido line): perfect if you're arriving from Ostia Antica or the coast. The area is therefore an excellent jumping-off point for a day at the sea or a visit to the ruins of Ostia.

By tram and on foot

The area is also served by tram 3 and several bus routes. On foot, the Pyramid puts you within easy reach of Monte dei Cocci and the heart of Testaccio, or, in the opposite direction, the Ostiense district and Centrale Montemartini.

By car and private driver (NCC)

The area can get busy, with ZTL (limited-traffic zones) in the nearby downtown streets. A private driver (NCC) makes the visit far easier: he drops you right at the monument and handles transfers and waiting time — ideal if you want to pair the Pyramid with the Cimitero Acattolico, Testaccio, San Paolo fuori le Mura, or a transfer to Ostia or Fiumicino airport, all along the same route.

Practical tips

  • Exterior always in view: for the photo, the best light is in the morning or late afternoon.
  • Interior by reservation only: check the opening dates ahead of time and book.
  • Pair it with the Cimitero Acattolico: it's a few steps away and absolutely worth it.
  • Super easy by metro: the Piramide stop (Line B) is right next door.
  • Allow about half a day for a full Pyramid–Cemetery–Testaccio–Ostiense itinerary at a relaxed pace, with a stop for a Roman lunch.

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. The exterior is always freely visible. Check the current openings.

How much does it cost? The exterior is free. The guided interior tour carries a modest fee with mandatory booking, as spaces are limited. Prices and dates are indicative: check the official website.

Which Metro stop is for the Piramide? Piramide, on Line B: the stop is right in front of the monument. It's the most direct and convenient option, linking to the Colosseum and Termini in just a few minutes.

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

See also

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