The Janiculum

The Janiculum's view

The Janiculum

The Janiculum is a hill in western Rome. Although the second-tallest hill in the contemporary city of Rome, the Janiculum does not figure among the proverbial Seven Hills of Rome, being west of the Tiber and outside the boundaries of the ancient city.

The Janiculum is one of the best locations in Rome for a breathtaking view of the innumerable domes and bell towers that pierce the skyline of the multi-hued architectural museum. Other sights on the Janiculum include the church of San Pietro in Montorio, built upon the site formerly thought to be where St Peter was crucified; the small shrine known as the Tempietto, designed by Donato Bramante, marks the supposed site of Peter's death.

The View from the Janiculum

The Janiculum is the site of a battle in 1849 between the forces of Garibaldi, defending the revolutionary Roman Republic and French forces fighting to restore the Temporal power of the Pope over Rome. Because of this battle, several monuments to Garibaldi and to the fallen in the wars of Italian independence are on the Janiculum, as well.

Garibaldi monuments

The Aurelian Walls were carried up the hill to include the water mills used to grind grain towards providing bread flour for the city. The mill was, thus, it is presumed, built at the same time as or before the walls were built by the emperor Aurelian. The mills were supplied from an aqueduct, where it plunged down a steep hill.

The mill complex is considered the biggest ancient mill complex.

The Mausoleum of Augustus

The Mausoleum of Augustus

The Mausoleum of Augustus

The Mausoleum of Augustus is a large tomb build by the roman emperor Augustus. Nowadays the mausoleum is located on Piazza Augusto Imperatore.

After the Battle at Actium in 31BC emperor Augustus decided to build his own mausoleum. In 29BC the mausoleum was finished. The original mausoleum had 4 circular rings and a statue of emperor Augustus on top. Unfortunately, in time, all these rings were worn and only 2 rings still remain.

The Original Mausoleum of Augustus 

Today you can't visit the mausoleum anymore, but you can still see it if you are on Piazza Augusto Imperatore.

A corridor ran from the entryway into the heart of the Mausoleum, where there was a chamber with three niches to hold the golden urns enshrining the ashes of the Imperial Family. The family of Augustus, the family of Claudius. And Nerva, the last emperor for whom the mausoleum was opened.

In 410, during the sack of Rome by Alaric, the pillaging Visigoths rifled the vaults, stole the urns and scattered the ashes, without damaging the structure of the building.

In the Middle Ages the artificial tumulus was fortified as a castle— as was the mausoleum of Hadrian, turned into the Castel Sant'Angelo.

The Mausoleum of Augustus on map

Pyramid of Cestius

Pyramid of Cestius

Pyramid of Cestius

The pyramid of Cestius is a ancient rome pyramid built 13BC. It stands between 2 ancient roads, the Via Ostiensis & a road now called Via della Marmorata. This pyramid is one of the best preserved ancient buildings in Rome.

The Pyramid was build around 18BC - 12BC as a tomb for Gaius Cestius. Gaius Cestius was a magistrate and a member of one of the 4 great religious corporations (quattor amplissima collegia) in Rome, the Septemviri Epulonum. 

It is a of brick-faced concrete covered with slabs of white marble foundation, 29.6 m square and 37 m high.

The interior is the burial chamber. When it was rediscovered in 1660, the chamber was found to be decorated with frescoes. Now, only the scantest traces of these now remain. There was no trace left of any other contents in the tomb, wich had been plundered in antiquity. The tomb had been sealed when it was build, without a exterior entrance. Visitors can not visit the interior, only when they have special permission.


The Pyramid has a few inscriptions:

• C · CESTIVS · L · F · POB · EPULO · PR · TR · PLVII · VIR · EPOLONVM

Gaius Cestius, son of Lucius, of the gens Pobilia, member of the College of Epulones, praetor, tribune of the plebs, septemvir of the Epulones. 

• OPVS · APSOLVTVM · EX · TESTAMENTO · DIEBVS · CCCXXXARBITRATVPONTI · P · F · CLA · MELAE · HEREDIS · ET · POTHI · L

The work was completed, in accordance with the will, in 330 days, by the decision of the heir [Lucius] Pontus Mela, son of Publius of the Claudia, and Pothus, freedman.

Pyramid of Cestius on map