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Guided tours are offered to visit the Tomb of Cecilia Metella and the Complex of Maxentius, both of which are on the ancient Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) just a short walk beyond the Catacombs. We concentrate on the architectural aspects of these interesting monuments and explain the historical context in which they arose. More detailed descriptions are provided in English and French (see below). Conducted by HUMUS - (06) 7612216 - a Cultural Association in Rome.
DEPARTURE: 11:15 from the entrance of the Tomb of Cecilia Metella
DURATION: 1.5 HOUR
TRANSPORT: Public transport - Metropolitan, line A to the stop "Colli Albani", then bus660 departing from the square on the hour and half-hour
The service Roma Trolley Tour for L. 26,000 for the day provides transportation to and from the Via Appia Antica from morning to evening. Departing from Piazza Venezia one can arrive at the Catacombs of St. Sebastian at 10:10 or 11:15. For more information (06) 6865375.
CONTRIBUTION: Lit. 10,000, includes the price of admission.
RESERVATIONS: For now we are offering the visits primarily on weekends, but with some weekday tours by request. Please respond via e-mail specifying number of people, 3 preferences for date. We will try to respond by Internet to confirm an appointment. If possible, also leave a contact number (hotel/tel. number) for a confirmation in Rome. If there is interest, guides could be arranged for customized tours to see other monuments in the Caffarella (see article on the Park of the Caffarella)
English summary:
In a wedge of the rplendid Roman countryside - bounded by
two of the most important consular roads built back when "
all roads led to Rome"- there remain intriguing vestiges of
the long history of Rome. Ruins go back to the republican
era, when the Roman state was being formed, and give glimpses
into the imperial age, medieval Rome, and some more "modern"
adaptations of the ancient sites.
To begin to explore this rich patrimony, the tour takes you
first to the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, which is certainly among
the most impressive monumnents (in terms of its state of
preservation and importance) along the Via Appia Antica.
The cylindrical structure sits on the top of a rise, just
beyond the catacombs of St. Sebastian, and exemplifies the
extravagant funereal architecture that was becoming common
in the tumultuous social/political climate just before the
advent of the empire.
A few hundred meters below the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, and
closer to the center of Rome, we find the Complex built by
the Emperor Maxentius. Here one can conjure up (with the
aid of diagrams to be provided) what this vast project must
have been like. It was built by Maxentius (300 years into
the empire) as an architectural unit in a valiant attempt to
symbolize a coming together of state religion (pagan) and
imperial power. The circus here is the best preserved example
of this type of structure to come down to us today.
It is connected to a dynastic tomb, that can be visited, and
also to a suburban villa slightly higher on the hill.
This site already had a rich history before the villa was
built there.
But this grandiose project was hardly completed before Maxentius
was defeated by Constantine at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge
in 312 AD., thus ushering in the Christian and late phases of
the Roman empire.
The tour is provided by HUMUS, a cultural association that is
part of a local civic group "Il Comitato per il Parco della
Caffarella" . Organized in 1984, the Comitato seeks to promote
the establishment of a public park to protect the natural and
historical patrimony of this unique area. (If Rome wasn't built
in a day, neither it appears will the powers that be move overly
swiftly to implement the planned park which has been on the books
for some 30 years now.) HUMUS is developing forms of tourism
and local activities that allow both visitors and citizens of Rome
to learn about the Caffarella, enjoy its beauty in ways that allow
for the preservation of the natural landscape. Part of the
contribution for the guided tours goes to promote the conservation
of the monuments and the environment. These efforts of are
being coordinated with the municipal and regional programs to
develop the Park of the Caffarella.
Résumé français:
Tout le long de la via Appia, la grande route consulaire préférée par
les Romains, il y a d'extraordinaires trésor de l'architecture et de
l'art qui témoignent la grandeur de nos ancêtres. Nous voudrions bien
Vous en présenter deux en particulier: le Mausolée de Cecilia Metella
et l'ensemble résidentél construit sous ordre de l'empereur Massenzio
( 306 - 312 ap. Ch. ).
Ces monumentes font partie du "Parco de la Caffarella"; les résidentes
de cette vaste zone se sont constitués en "Comitato de la Caffarella"
afin de faire sauvegarder et de faire connaître, au délà d'autres
activités culturelles et sociales, ces prestigieux monumentes puor
éviter qu'ils tombent dans l'abandon et l'oubli. A ce but, à l'intérieur
du "Comitato de la Caffarella" est née l'association "Humus" qui organise
des visites guidées à ces grands monumentes.
Les visites sont organisées en langue anglais, française et italienne
et, puor ceux qui sont intéressés, nuos ajoutons ci-dessous le
calendrier des jours de visite, les horaires et, pour mieux aider
les personnes qui désirent se servir des moyens publics de communication,
les horaires, le numéro et le lieu du dèpart du bus organisé exprès.
Merci puor l'acueil que Vous voudrez bien donner à cette initiative
culturelle, nous Vous attendons bien amicalement.