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What is Largo di Torre Argentina?

Largo di Torre Argentina is a historic square in Rome, Italy, renowned for its archaeological treasures. Hosting four Roman Republican temples and the Theatre of Pompey, where Julius Caesar met his demise in 44 BCE, the site also includes the Torre Argentina tower. Dating back to the 3rd century BC, the temples were dedicated to deities like Juturna, Fortuna Huiusce Diei, Feronia, and Lares Permarini. Rediscovered during demolitions in 1927, the complex offers a glimpse into ancient Roman religious practices. The square is also home to a cat shelter, acting as a residence for the city’s feline population.

Quick facts about Largo di Torre Argentina

  • Official name: Largo di Torre Argentina
  • Address: Largo di Torre Argentina, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
  • Function: Archaeological site and cat sanctuary
  • Founded: 4th century BC – 1st century AD
  • Historical significance: City forum & site of Julius Caesar's assassination on 15 March 44 BC.
  • Date of discovery: Rediscovered during urban planning in the 1920s
  • Notable features: Contains ruins of four Roman Republican temples, including one of the oldest temple sites in Rome, dating from the 3rd to 1st century BC, and Pompey's Theatre.

Plan your visit to Largo di Torre Argentina

Opening hours

Largo di Torre Argentina is open from Tuesdays to Sundays.
It is shut on Mondays, 25 December, 1 January, and 1 May
Timings:

  • 29 October to 30 March: 9:30 AM to 4 PM
  • 31 March to 26 October: 9:30 AM to 7 PM

Note: Final entry is one hour before its closing time

Location

Address: Largo di Torre Argentina, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Find on Maps
Largo di Torre Argentina is located in the historic center of Rome, Lazio, Italy.
Nearest bus stop: C.so Vittorio Emanuele (Argentina)
Nearest metro station: Colosseo station
Landmarks nearby: Pantheon, Piazza Venezia, and the Roman Forum

What to see at Largo di Torre Argentina

Julius Caesar's Assassination Site

Stand on the historic ground of the Curia of Pompey, where Julius Caesar was betrayed and assassinated in 44 BC. This site marks a significant turning point in Roman history, signaling the fall of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire.

Ancient Roman temples

Explore the remains of four Roman temples, dating from the 3rd to 1st century BC. These ruins are among the oldest religious sites in Rome, offering a glimpse into ancient worship practices and architectural styles.

Pompey's Theatre

Visit the remnants of Pompey's Theatre, an 18th-century opera house and theatre. An important site of Roman culture and politics, the theatre saw the premiers of several notable operas includingGioachino Rossini'sThe Barber of Sevillein 1816 andGiuseppe Verdi'sLa battaglia di Legnanoin 1849.

Torre Argentina cat sanctuary

Spend time with 350-odd residents of the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary, located in Temple D of the Largo di Torre Argentina. Founded in 1993, the place acts as a refuge for felines in the city. If you find yourself taken by one of 350 cats, you can even adopt one.

Largo di Torre Argentina, dating back to the 4th century BC, encompasses four Republican-era temples—A, B, C, and D. Temple A (241 BC) honored Juturna, linked with fountains; Temple B (101 BC) paid homage to Fortuna, the goddess of luck. Temple C, venerating Feronia, dates to the 4th or 3rd century BC, while Temple D, devoted to Lares Permarini, originated in the 2nd century BC. In 55 BC, Pompey the Great commissioned the Theatre of Pompey, a bustling center integral to daily life. Julius Caesar's assassination in 44 BC at this site triggered political upheaval, culminating in Augustus's rise and the end of the Roman Republic. Despite time's toll, Largo di Torre Argentina, unveiled during 1909 urban renewal, preserves archaeological treasures, shedding light on Roman religious practices and the integration of politics into everyday life.

Architecture of Largo di Torre Argentina 

Largo di Torre Argentina in Rome boasts archaeological remnants showcasing distinctive Roman Republican architecture. Housing four temples (A, B, C, and D) dating from the 3rd century BC, these structures reflect classical Roman design with columns and porticos. The site also includes Pompey's Theatre, Rome's oldest, commissioned by Pompey the Great around 55 BC, and the Curia of Pompey.

Largo di Torre Argentina in literature

Largo di Torre Argentina, dating to the 4th century BC, is immortalized in William Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar." The site serves as the backdrop for the dramatic assassination of Caesar, marked by the iconic line "Et tu, Brute?" The play explores themes of betrayal, political intrigue, and the consequences of unchecked ambition, offering a vivid portrayal of historical events in ancient Rome. Largo di Torre Argentina thus becomes not only an archaeological site but a literary symbol deeply intertwined with Shakespeare's timeless exploration of power and treachery.

Frequently asked questions about Largo di Torre Argentina

Largo di Torre Argentina is a significant archaeological site in Rome, Italy, encompassing Roman temples and Pompey's Theatre ruins. It also includes the Curia of Pompey, where Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC.

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