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Cimitero Acattolico

Typology: Monumental cemetery

Address

Address: Via Caio Cestio, 6
Zone: Rione Testaccio (Roma centro)

Contacts

Telephone: 06 5741900

Opening times

From Monday to Saturday from 9 to 17
Sunday and holidays from 9 to 13
last entry 30 minutes before closing time

Any updates to the opening hours on the official website > https://cemeteryrome.it/visit/visite.html

Group times (maximum 15 participants, guide included)
from Monday to Saturday 10.00, 11.30, 14.00 and 15.00
Sunday and public holidays 10.00 and 11.00
It is not possible to book visits for groups under the age of 16
Groups are not allowed during All Saints' Day

Reservations for groups required
Group visits must be booked 10 days in advance exclusively via e-mail at ornella.forte@cemeteryrome.it indicating the origin of the group, the name and address of the guide or group leader, date and time chosen and the number of participants

Access directions
Via Caio Cestio is a side street of Via Marmorata on the north side of the pyramid. The entrance to the cemetery is on the left halfway down the road.

Regulations for visitors https://cemeteryrome.it/visit/regolamento.html

 

Description

The Un-Catholic Cemetery, also known as the English Cemetery, was established to bury non-Catholic foreigners living in Rome who, according to the rules of the Catholic Church, could not be buried in Catholic cemeteries. Its origin dates back to 1738, according to the date of the oldest grave, belonging to an Oxford student. The Testaccio cemetery then became the burial place for many Protestant, Orthodox or Jewish foreigners residing in Rome; but also for women and men who had been expelled from the Catholic Church, such as suicides. The authorities decided that burial should take place at night, to avoid provoking protests from the most fervent Catholics. There are numerous tombs inspired by motifs from classical antiquity. The beauty of the place, right next to the Cestia Pyramid, the presence of ruins, pines and cypresses made it a favourite spot for romantic artists and poets. Among the many who rest here are John Keats and Percy Shelley. The politician Antonio Gramsci is also buried in the Non-Catholic Cemetery: his tomb inspired some of the most famous verses by Pier Paolo Pasolini.

Last checked: 2024-03-14 12:20