Insula dell'Ara Coeli

The Insula dell’Ara Coeli is an archaeological remains of a Roman insula - a dense urban apartment block - located on the Capitoline Hill in Rome, next to the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli. It represents domestic urban housing from the Roman imperial era.

Originally constructed and occupied during the Roman imperial centuries, the insula was later buried and built over during the medieval and modern periods as Rome’s street levels changed. Modern excavations have uncovered its plan and material remains, revealing domestic urban life rather than public monumental architecture.

Sited on the Capitoline Hill near Santa Maria in Aracoeli and the Vittoriano, the insula is within the historic centre of Rome and is visible from Piazza Venezia and adjacent streets.

• Visibility and access: Located immediately adjacent to the Capitoline slope and the church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, making the ruins easy to view from surrounding piazzas.
• Period of remains: Evidence at the site spans the Roman imperial period, showing domestic occupation rather than public or religious buildings.

What to See #

• Excavated insula remains: Remains of a multi-storey Roman apartment block with visible masonry, foundations and small interior spaces dating to the imperial period; the excavated area illustrates domestic urban housing rather than monumental architecture.