Largo Argentina: the sacred area where Caesar was killed, and its cats

The Sacred Area of Largo Argentina (Area Sacra di Largo di Torre Argentina) is a large archaeological pit in the heart of Rome, between the Pantheon and Campo de' Fiori. It holds four temples from the Republican era, remains of Pompey's portico and, by tradition, the Curia where Julius Caesar was assassinated on 15 March 44 BC. For a long time it could only be seen from the street; today you can walk through it on raised walkways. It is open Tuesday to Sunday; a ticket costs €7 full price and €4 reduced for non-residents (prices checked in October 2026). Allow about 45 minutes.

Highlights

The four Republican temples

Labelled A to D, they date from the 4th to the 2nd century BC. Temple A, part of which was built into the medieval church of San Nicola de' Cesarini, is attributed to Juturna; the round Temple B to the Fortune of This Day; Temple C to Feronia; Temple D to the Lares Permarini, protectors of sailors. These attributions remain scholars' hypotheses.

Pompey's Curia and the death of Caesar

At the back of the area, remains belong to Pompey's portico, one hall of which was used for Senate meetings. According to ancient writers, this is where Caesar was stabbed on the Ides of March in 44 BC. The exact location of the hall is still debated.

The cat sanctuary

Hundreds of abandoned cats are cared for by volunteers in a shelter set below street level. You will also see them slipping between the columns from the pavement. Do not feed them: a sign forbids it.

The 1926 excavations

The site was only uncovered in the late 1920s, when demolitions for new buildings brought the temples to light. They therefore lie a few metres below today's street level.

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