Panorama showing the Pyramid of Gaius Cestius and the Porta S Paolo in Rome. It is a bit odd coming across a pyramid in Rome, even more so one incorporated into ancient city walls beside a very busy road junction, but here it stands after nearly 2000 years.

Pyramid of Gaius Cestius - Rome visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Pyramid of Gaius Cestius' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Roma.

The Pyramid of Gaius Cestius (Italian: Piramide di Caio Cestio) stands next to Porta San Paolo in Rome and has been incorporated into the Aurelian Walls about 2km south of the Colosseum of Rome.

The Pyramid was built in 12 BC by Gaius Cestius, a wealthy Roman praetor and tribune of the people. Gaius spent He spent time in Egypt at the height of the Roman post-Cleopatra craze when, just like their European counterparts centuries later, the Romans were wondering off with huge obelisks and immersing themselves into the Isis cult (the obelisks found in the Piazza del Popolo and St. Peter's Square also came from Egypt).

Gaius Cestius built the pyramid as his tomb. It is made of brick and then covered with white marble from Luni, and is thought to have taken about 330 days to build. Unlike many of the tombs of the other emperors, this one has remained intact. The entrance shaft descending into the Pyramid of Gaius Cestius is about half way up the North face.

Unfortunately, while the structure of the pyramid is intact, the decorations inside have degraded very badly and are now barely visible. The interior was decorated with stuccoes and frescos of female figures. Outside are two statue bases, but their occupant have long since vanished.

Metro: Piramide (B)