Gemonian stairs
Archaeological Site Ancient Roman execution site near the Forum
In ancient Rome the Gemonian Stairs marked a public execution site near the Forum; today visitors encounter the location’s grim history while exploring surrounding ruins and the Capitoline area.
The Gemonian Stairs (Scalae Gemoniae) were a set of steps in ancient Rome situated between the Capitoline Hill and the Roman Forum. They were historically associated with the public display of executed criminals.
In antiquity the stairs were used as a place to expose the bodies of condemned persons after execution, a practice recorded in Roman sources. The stairs appear in historical accounts from the late Republic and Imperial periods but fell into ruin as the city changed in late antiquity and the Middle Ages.
The historical location lies on the slope between the Capitoline Hill and the Roman Forum in central Rome, within the area of the ancient city core and near modern Piazza del Campidoglio.
How to Get to Gemonian stairs #
Located near the Roman Forum; accessible on foot from central Rome archaeological areas.
Tips for Visiting Gemonian stairs #
- The original site is a place of history rather than a tourist attraction - see nearby Roman Forum sites for complementary context.
- Bring a qualified guide for stories about the stair's grim history to understand the Roman procedures for criminal execution and public spectacle.
Best Time to Visit Gemonian stairs #
Best in spring and autumn to avoid Rome's hot summer afternoons.
Weather & Climate near Gemonian stairs #
Gemonian stairs's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (705 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm).
Comfort
Weather
June
June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 15 mm and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (33 mm) and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm).
Comfort
Weather
November
November is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 96 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
_-_Facciata_(Mamertinum).jpg?width=600)
