Protestant Cemetery of Rome (Cimitero Acattolico di Roma)

The basics

English travelers began to come through Rome on the Grand Tour in the 18th century, followed by a wave of writers and artists who settled there. Many were not Catholic, and Rome soon found it needed a cemetery to lay to rest Protestants who died while in the city. The first burial in Rome’s Protestant Cemetery was in 1738, making it one of the oldest cemeteries in continuous use in Europe. With the tombs of luminaries such as John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley, American poet Gregory Corso, and Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci, the cemetery is said to contain the highest density of famous graves anywhere in the world.

The Protestant Cemetery is also known locally as the Cemetery of the English (Cimitero degli Inglesi), though its official name is the Non-Catholic Cemetery for Foreigners. Visit the most famous graves in the Protestant Cemetery by joining a guided cemetery tour, or stop in to appreciate its beautiful statuary and moving inscriptions as part of a Rome highlights walking or bike tour.

Things to know before you go

• The cemetery offers 1-hour guided tours that must be booked at least 10 days in advance.

• To find a specific grave, consult the burial database or pick up a cemetery map at the visitor center.

• Restrooms are available in the visitor center at the cemetery entrance.

• The cemetery is crisscrossed by paved and gravel walkways, some of which may be hard to navigate with a wheelchair or stroller.

How to get there

The Protestant Cemetery is located in the southern Roman neighborhood of Testaccio, near Porta San Paolo and the Pyramid of Cestius. Take metro line B to the Piramide station.

When to get there

The cemetery is outdoors so best toured on a clear day in spring and fall, when the temperatures are mild. The site is closed in the afternoon on Sundays and holidays.

The most beautiful tombs in the Protestant Cemetery

Many of the most famous graves in the cemetery are surprisingly simple, while there are a number of remarkably beautiful tombs for less famous figures. Some of the most important are the neoclassical grave of Dutch sculptor Pier Pander, the statue of the young Georges Volkoff, and the Angel of Grief, designed by American sculptor William Wetmore Story for his wife’s grave.

Ways to explore

The Protestant Cemetery of Rome is also known officially as the Non-Catholic Cemetery, and it is most commonly associated with its foreign residents. Stop at the visitor center to learn about what inspired the creation of this 18th-century cemetery, buy a map, and then wander the cemetery’s famous graves to see tombs of luminaries. Alternatively, take a sightseeing tour of Rome that explores the Testaccio neighborhood and less common attractions away from its main highlights. Pair your visit to the cemetery with the adjoining Pyramid of Caius Cestius, a pyramid built in the city by ancient Romans.

Accessibility

Access to the cemetery for visitors using wheelchairs and strollers is limited due to its narrow, gravel walkways.

Age limits

All ages are welcome, but minors must be supervised

What to pack

Camera

What to wear

Visitors are asked to dress respectfully, as the cemetery remains active and regularly hosts funerals.

Not allowed

Eating/drinking, smoking, professional photography without permission

Amenities

Visitor center, restrooms

Address

The Protestant Cemetery is located in the southern Roman neighborhood of Testaccio, near Porta San Paolo and the Pyramid of Cestius.

Driving

Follow Lungotevere along the Tiber River, turning down Via Marmorata to reach Piazza di Porta San Paolo. Paid and free street parking is available on the roads on either side of the cemetery.

Public transportation

Take metro line B to the Piramide station, just across the road from the cemetery, or ride the 3 or 8 trams from the Colosseum.

Best times to visit

The cemetery opens during regular business hours and doesn’t get overcrowded, so come when you like. If possible, avoid hot summer afternoons.

Best days to visit

Visit on weekdays, as the cemetery tends to get local visitors over the weekend. It’s closed on Sunday afternoons.

Best months to visit

The cemetery is outdoors, so it’s best to visit on a clear day in spring and fall—March to May and September to November—when the temperatures are mild.