Piramide di Caio Cestio
Cestia Pyramid is a funerary monument in honor of Caius Cestius. The tomb was erected along the Via Ostiense, in the period between 18 and 12 BC, and later incorporated into the city wall, built between 272 and 279 on the initiative of Emperor Aurelian. The structure, 36.40 meters high with a square base of 29.50 meters wide, is composed of a core of Roman concrete with brick facing; the exterior is clad in marble slabs lunense; the burial chamber, with a barrel vault, was blocked at the time of burial according to Egyptian custom. Dates back to the Middle Ages the first violation of the grave, through a tunnel dug on the north side, which resulted in the loss of substantial portions of the cineraria urn and decorative (wall fresco, panels, within which are distinguished figures of nymphs on light background). At the corners of the ceiling, four winged Victories bearing a crown and a ribbon.
Info:
By reservation only, every second and fourth Saturday of the month at 11:00 am. For groups, at 10:00 and 12:00 am.
