Largo di Torre Argentina

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The site was discovered during urban construction work in 1926.

2. 2

   The four temples are designated A, B, C, and D, with Temple B being the only circular one.

3. 3

   Pompey the Great's theatre was the first permanent stone theatre built in Rome.

4. 4

   The location remained hidden beneath street level for centuries until the 20th-century excavations.

5. 5

   The feline colony is protected by local law as a historical site-specific urban ecosystem.

6. 6

   The name 'Argentina' does not refer to the country, but to the Latin 'Argentinum' after the city of Strasbourg, where the builder of a nearby Renaissance palace originated.

Overview

Largo di Torre Argentina is an archaeological site in Rome containing the remains of four Republican-era temples and the ruins of Pompey's Theatre. The site is historically significant as the confirmed location of Julius Caesar's assassination at the Curia of Pompey. Below street level, the ruins serve as a managed sanctuary for a colony of feral cats, cared for by a volunteer organization. Recent restoration projects, concluded in 2023, introduced elevated walkways that allow visitors to view the ruins from within the archaeological footprint. The site spans a complex chronological period, with layers of structures dating from the 4th to 2nd century BC. It remains one of the most visible examples of ancient Roman layers integrated into the modern urban fabric of the city.

Insider tips

• Use the raised walkways to see the temple remains up close rather than viewing only from the street railing.

• Check for the dedicated visitor entrance on the street side rather than attempting to enter via the cat sanctuary office.

• Combine this visit with a short walk to the nearby Pantheon or Piazza Navona.