Southern Rome - Rome - page 524

SIGHTS

The awe-inspiring Appian Way stretches south of Rome, dotted by Roman ruins
above and riddled with catacombs below.

Via Appia Antica

CATACOMBE DI SAN SEBASTIANO
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See Click here .

CATACOMBS

VILLA DI MASSENZIO
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RUIN

( 06 780 13 24; www.villadimassenzio.it ; Via Appia Antica 153; adult/reduced €5/4; 9am-4pm Tue-Sat; Via
Appia Antica) The outstanding feature of Maxentius' enormous 4th-century palace complex is
the Circo di Massenzio MAP GOOGLE MAP , Rome's best-preserved ancient racetrack - you
can still make out the starting stalls used for chariot races. The 10,000-seat arena was built
by Maxentius around 309, but he died before ever seeing a race here.
Above the arena are the ruins of Maxentius' imperial residence, most of which are
covered by weeds. Near the racetrack, the Mausoleo di Romolo MAP GOOGLE MAP , also
known as the Tombo di Romolo, was built by Maxentius for his son Romulus. The huge
mausoleum was originally crowned with a large dome and surrounded by an imposing
colonnade, in part still visible.

MAUSOLEO DI CECILIA METELLA
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RUIN

( 06 3996 7700; www.coopculture.it ; Via Appia Antica 161; admission incl Terme di Caracalla & Villa dei Quintili
adult/reduced €7/4; 9am to 1hr before sunset Tue-Sun; Via Appia Antica) Dating to the 1st century BC,
this great drum of a mausoleum encloses a burial chamber (built for the daughter of the
consul Quintus Metellus Creticus), now roofless. The walls are made of travertine and the
interior is decorated with a sculpted frieze featuring Gaelic shields, ox skulls and festoons.
In the 14th century it was converted into a fort by the Caetani family, who used to fright-
en passing traffic into paying a toll.

VILLA DEI QUINTILI RUIN