Pyramid of Cestius: Rome’s Curious Egyptian Pyramid
Egyptian culture and architecture has long captivated people around the world, including the ancient Romans. After the Romans took control of Egypt in 30 BC, countless aristocratic Romans began to build structures that were similar to those that they viewed in Egypt. A few pyramids even popped up in Rome—only one of which has survived until the present day.
photo by depositphotos.com
The Pyramid of Cestius stands at a busy intersection in Rome. Cestius was a wealthy magistrate who organized opulent social gatherings that the elite attended during religious ceremonies. Cestius was so obsessed with being buried in a stately Egyptian-style pyramid that he specified in his will that if his pyramid was not completed roughly one calendar year after his death, his descendants would only receive a small portion of his considerable wealth. Needless to say, the Pyramid of Cestius was completed on time.
The Pyramid of Cestius stands nearly 120 feet tall and features a dramatic point at the top. The famed Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt has a more graduated design because it was constructed with rough blocks of limestone. The Pyramid of Cestius was constructed with concrete and marble which gives the pyramid a much smoother, sleeker appearance. Historians are unsure if Cestius intentionally designed his pyramid to look different, or if the difference was an unintentional result of using alternative building materials.
Photo by depositphotos.com
As the Roman Empire began to recede, the Pyramid of Cestius was looted and his identity was obscured by time. During the Middle Ages, many Italians believed that the Pyramid of Cestuis contained the remains of Remus and Romulus—twin brothers who are hailed as the founders of Rome. A second larger Italian pyramid which was razed in the 1500s was also thought to house the remains of the legendary brothers.
Visitors can get a clear view of the Pyramid of Cestius by visiting a nearby Protestant cemetery which is bordered by one of Rome’s celebrated Aurelian Walls. Access to the inside of the pyramid is limited, but there are still plenty of spots where you can have the surreal experience of standing in the shadow of an Egyptian-style pyramid on the bustling streets of Rome. If you’re a true history buff, you can track down a set of bronzes that were discovered inside of the Pyramid of Cestuis and transferred to Rome’s Capitoline Museums a few centuries back. Sadly, most other artifacts from the pyramid are long lost.
Address: Via Raffaele Persichetti, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Pyramid of Caius Cestius, Rome, Lazio, Italy
- Coordinates
- 41.87645, 12.48085
- Access
- The pyramid can be viewed from surrounding public streets. Entry inside is only during extraordinary scheduled openings or events; the official site says the entrance is on Via Raffaele Persichetti. The current 2026 cycle requires advance booking, has limited capacity and is subject to change. Check the Soprintendenza calendar before going.
- Admission
- The published September–October 2026 special openings are free, with advance booking required. This is not a regular daily ticketed attraction; availability is limited and must be checked in the official booking calendar.
- Time needed
- The Soprintendenza assigns 45 minutes to the scheduled visit slots. This is the official duration for the booked interior visit; an exterior street-side view can be shorter.
- Best season
- No preferred visitor season is published. The current interior-visit program is a temporary September–October 2026 calendar, not a recurring seasonal opening promise. The pyramid remains visible from public streets outside those booked openings.
- Opening hours
- There are no regular daily visitor hours. The current official daytime schedule lists October 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2026, with reserved entry slots at 16:30, 17:30 and 18:30 (Rome local time); each slot is 45 minutes and limited to 50 people. Dates and availability can change, so confirm before travel.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-09
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-09
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