- UNESCO
- Free 1st Sunday
Photo: Nicolò Musmeci, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Archaeological site
Casal Rotondo
Ancient tomb on the Appian Way outside Rome, Italy
At a glance
- Type
- Archaeological site
- Coordinates
- 41°49′16″ N, 12°33′22″ E
History and description
Casal Rotondo is the largest surviving circular ancient Roman mausoleum on the Appian Way, to the southeast of Rome, Italy. A small medieval farmhouse was constructed atop the remains of the tomb.
History
The mausoleum was constructed c. 30 BCE at approximately the sixth mile of the Appian Way, a stretch of road that was densely packed with tombs in antiquity. It is a large circular structure with a diameter of 27 metres (89 ft) that originally featured a conical roof, frieze ornamentation, and seating encircling its base.
In the mid-18th century, the Italian archaeologist Luigi Canina deduced from an epigraphic fragment uncovered nearby, bearing the inscription "COTTA," that the monument had been built by Marcus Aurelius Cotta Maximus Messalinus for his father Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus. However, contemporary archaeologists dispute this claim and believe this inscription to originate from a nearby smaller tomb. Canina constructed a large brick wall near the mausoleum to display this inscription alongside other sculptural fragments found in the vicinity. The name of the structure refers to the medieval farmhouse (Italian: casale) built atop the mausoleum by the Savelli family which served as a watchtower along the Appian Way.
Text from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Full article: «Casal Rotondo».
Photos
Getting there
TorricolaTrain, nearest
1.3 km as the crow flies
Casal Rotondo
Aeroporto di Roma-Ciampino3.9 km
Distances are as the crow flies, not walking or driving.
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Nearby
See on the mapMore archaeological sites in Lazio
- Free 1st Sunday
- Free 1st Sunday
- UNESCO
Frequently asked questions
Where is Casal Rotondo?
Casal Rotondo is in Rome, in the province of Roma (Lazio), Italy. GPS coordinates: 41.82100, 12.55600.
What else is there to see near Casal Rotondo?
Nearby you’ll find: Villa dei Quintili aqueduct (1.1 km away), Villa of the Quintilii (1.2 km away), Pyramid of via Appia (1.2 km away).
Sources and licences
Text. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Data. Wikidata (CC0); opening hours and contacts OpenStreetMap (ODbL).
Photos. Wikimedia Commons, author and licence on every image.
Credits for the 9 photos
- Appia antica 2-7-05 046 — Nicolò Musmeci, Public domain
- 1982-10-05 wall of fragments near the Casal Rotondo — Dave Cooper, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Casal Rotondo 1 — Rudolfo Kithera, CC0
- L06 943 Quinta del Canina, Casal Rotondo — Falk2, CC BY-SA 4.0
- L06 944 Quinta del Canina, Casal Rotondo — Falk2, CC BY-SA 4.0
- L06 946 Casal Rotondo — Falk2, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Appian way rests — Livioandronico2013, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Canina's wall of fragments — Sarah E. Bond, CC BY 2.0
- Mash on the ancient Via Appia — Livioandronico2013, CC BY-SA 4.0
Updated 28 October 2026. All sources and licences