Circus Maximus

Appia Antica, Aventino, Ostiense

Circus Maximus
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  • Location: Circus Maximus
  • Address: Via del Circo Massimo
  • E-Mail: info@060608.it
  • Phone#: +39 060608
  • Opening: Ever open
  • Price: Free entrance
  • Transportation: Metro: line B, station Circo Massimo
    Tram: line 3 (fermata Aventino/Circo Massimo)
    Bus: 51, 75, 118, 81, 85, 87, 118, 160, 186, 626, 673, 810, N2
  • Visit lasts: 1 hour e 30 minutes (about)
  • Services:
    Free entranceRecommended
The most important monument in absentia in Rome: nothing remains but the space of 600x200 meters, in which Tarquinio Prisco, built the famous circus at the feet of the Palatine. Transformed numerous times throughout the centuries, Augustus placed the obelisk of Ramses II here, which is now in Piazza del Popolo. Rebuilt by Trajan around 100 A.D. (the ruins near Piazza di Porta Capena), it was then restored by Constantine, who placed another obelisk here, that of Tutmes III, today at Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano. With a seating capacity of 30,000, it remained in use until 549.
THINGS TO KNOW: According to legend, it was during one of the competitions in honor of the God Consus, that the Rape of the Sabine Women took place as narrated by Livy (in this account there were no forced sexual encounters) with the romans taking the women by force and then pleading with them to marry in order to procreate their gens.