Located in the rione of Testaccio in Rome, Campo Cestio Cemetery is one of my favourite locations during this trip to Italy. Not only is this cemetery quiet and peaceful, it is also full of greenery, trees, and stunning sculptures.
It is also the resting place for the English poet, John Keats! He died in Rome when he was 25. I believe he had consumption (a.k.a. tuberculosis), which means it wasn’t a very pleasant death. I like to imagine that he’s expressing his romantic poetry in a better place now… “Now a soft kiss – Aye, by that kiss, I vow an endless bliss.”
Want the cherry on top for reasons to visit this little-known cemetery? There are cats lounging in trees and casually roaming around the tombstones. They love tummy rubs and literally made my eyes teary from happiness. I couldn’t handle the cuteness, okay.
Campo Cestio Cemetery is near Porta San Paolo (a beautiful gate that leads to the Via Ostiense Museum) and the ancient Pyramid of Cestius. The pyramid felt a little out-of-place to me, but apparently it is one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in Rome! As a young Canadian gal, I felt pretty excited to see structures from such a long time ago.
If you’re a weirdo like me and enjoy visiting cemeteries and admiring the dead – and happen to find yourself in Rome someday – then I highly suggest visiting Campo Cestio. It’s not too difficult to find and I think you’ll enjoy a peaceful walk surrounded by the flowers, sculptures, and trees.
Whoa Dana 