Septizodium Archaeological Site

Address: Via delle Terme di Caracalla area, Rome

The Septizodium (Septizonium) is an archaeological ruin in Rome initially constructed by the emperor Septimius Severus around the start of the 3rd century AD as an elaborate, multi-story monumental façade.

Only fragments of the original decorative façade survive today; these ruins sit at the southeastern edge of the Palatine Hill and are visible from nearby streets and archaeological zones. The site is of interest to visitors exploring the imperial Roman remains in the area.

Built by Septimius Severus in the early 200s AD, the structure functioned as an ornamental façade facing the southern approach to the city. Over centuries it fell into ruin and much of its material was quarried and reused in later periods.

The remains stand at the southeastern corner of the Palatine Hill in Rome, close to the Circus Maximus and the ancient southern approaches to the city.

• Best viewpoint: The remaining fragments of the original three-tiered ornamental façade are best seen from the area between the Palatine Hill and the Circus Maximus.

Located near the Baths of Caracalla and the Palatine Hill in Rome; reachable on foot from the Colosseum or by local buses serving the historic center.

• Stand in the small clearing facing the ruins at dusk to appreciate how the structure once read as a civic face to the Circus Maximus and Palatine approaches.
• Look for the later medieval and Renaissance additions that tried to reuse the Septizodium as a quarry for building material - the stones have moved around Rome's urban fabric.
• The site is often visible from passing buses; a short stop can yield a good, proximate view if time is limited.