Tomb of Caecilia Metella Archaeological Site

The Tomb of Caecilia Metella is a monumental Roman mausoleum on the Via Appia Antica, noted for its large cylindrical drum and prominent roadside position. It dates to the late Republican period and remains a dominant landmark along the ancient road.

The tomb’s cylindrical masonry drum and facing are largely preserved, offering a clear sense of Roman funerary architecture and scale. Visitors also see the medieval tower and fortifications that were later added when the monument was integrated into a defensive complex, giving the site a layered appearance of Roman and medieval reuse.

Built in the late 1st century BC for a member of the Caecilii Metelli family, the mausoleum later became part of a fortified estate in the Middle Ages under local lords who added defensive works. The structure has been the subject of preservation and archaeological investigation since the 19th century.

Standing beside the Appian Way on the outskirts of Rome, the tomb is accessible from the archaeological area of the Via Appia Antica and is a short drive southeast of Rome’s historic centre.

• Size: The circular tomb has an external diameter of about 30 metres and is one of the most recognisable funerary monuments on the Via Appia Antica.

What to See#

• Mausoleum drum: The cylindrical mausoleum drum, a nearly intact Roman funerary cylinder measuring approximately 30 metres in diameter, dominating the Appian Way landscape.
• Medieval fortress and tower: A medieval tower and fortification that were built adjacent to and incorporated the mausoleum during the Middle Ages, reflecting later reuse of the monument.

Reach the site by bus or tourist shuttle from Rome’s center along the Appian Way; several city buses stop near the Appian gates and the tomb is a short walk from the roadway. Cycling the Appian Way is also a popular option for visitors.

• Combine the tomb visit with a walk along the Via Appia Antica to see the landscape of funerary monuments in sequence.
• Bring a camera with a wide lens - the tomb's circular form and the adjoining medieval tower make dramatic compositions.
• Visit in late afternoon when the setting sun accentuates the cylindrical stone and casts long shadows across the Via Appia.