Church of the Gesù
Rome, Italy
Largo di Torre Argentina, Rome
i
Photo: Another Believer, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free from street; walkways ≈ €5
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Hours
- Street view 24 hours; walkways usually Tue–Sun by day
- Time on site
i
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 30 min
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- From the street
- Free, 24 hours
- Walk among the ruins
- ≈ €5, usually Tue–Sun
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Temples
- Four, 4th–2nd centuries BC — Temples A, B, C and D
- Cats
- Cat sanctuary at the south-west corner, free to visit
- Time needed
- 20 minutes from above, 40 with the walkways
- Location
- Between the Pantheon and Campo de' Fiori; tram 8 terminus
Key facts
4 templesfrom the Republic, 4th–2nd centuries BC
Sourcei
English Wikipedia1920sthe ruins were uncovered when a neighbourhood was demolished
Sourcei
English WikipediaArgentoratumLatin for Strasbourg, home of the tower's owner who gave the name
Sourcei
English WikipediaCuria of Pompeyremains of the Senate meeting hall at the western edge
Sourcei
English Wikipedia2023walkways opened through the ruins
Sourcei
English WikipediaWalking among the ruins
Since 2023 a system of walkways and platforms lets you go down into the site, pass between the temples and see altars, paving and statue fragments up close, with reconstruction panels along the way. It's ticketed — about €5 according to guides — and usually open Tuesday to Sunday by day. From the pavements around the railing, the whole site is visible free.
About the square
The square takes its name from the tower of Johannes Burckard, a papal master of ceremonies from Strasbourg — *Argentoratum* in Latin. In the 1920s, demolition of an old quarter uncovered a sacred precinct with four temples from the Republic, among the oldest surviving in Rome.
Nobody knows for certain which gods they honoured, so they're labelled A, B, C and D. Temple C, from the 4th–3rd century BC, is the oldest; round Temple B, probably dedicated to Fortuna, is the most recognisable. At the western edge lie remains of the Curia of Pompey, where the Senate met in Caesar's day.
Why these shrines matter
Almost everything visitors see in Rome is imperial. These temples are centuries older, built under the Republic in tufa and travertine rather than gleaming marble, showing what the city's sanctuaries looked like before Augustus. The ground has risen about 6 metres since, which is why they sit in a pit in the middle of a modern square.
The Torre Argentina cats
Largo Argentina is also famous for its cats, who live among the ruins and sun themselves on ancient columns. Since the 1990s a cat sanctuary here has fed, treated and neutered strays and found them homes. The entrance is at the south-west corner, down a staircase; visits are free and volunteers welcome donations and sell souvenirs.
What to see
- Temple B — round, with six columns, the most photogenic.
- Temple C — the oldest, 4th–3rd century BC.
- Temple A — with traces of a medieval church built inside it.
- Remains of the Curia of Pompey — at the western edge.
- Cat sanctuary — at the south-west corner.
- Teatro Argentina — one of Rome's oldest theatres, on the west side.
- Burckard's tower — the medieval tower behind the name, on Via del Sudario.
How to get to Largo Argentina
Tap a route to highlight it on the map.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
On foot
- Church of the Gesù is about 4 min away on foot.
- Santa Maria sopra Minerva is about 5 min away on foot.
- Pantheon is about 7 min away on foot.
More tips
- Tram 8 — the Argentina terminus.
- Buses 40, 46, 62, 64 and 87 to Largo di Torre Argentina.
- Walk from the Pantheon — 5 minutes south.
- From Campo de' Fiori — 5 minutes east.
Is Largo Argentina worth it?
Yes, on the way: it sits between the Pantheon, Campo de' Fiori and Piazza Venezia, and nearly every walk through the centre passes it. The view from above is free, and cats on the columns are a favourite photo. If Republican Rome interests you, take the walkways — few places let you get this close to temples of that age.
At Largo Argentina
Ready: 0 of 5Tick off what's done — your ticks are saved in this browser.
You are ready for the visit
Ancient Rome: compare and choose
Ancient sites in Rome rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| Pantheon | 82 | 30 min | ≈ €5 | 6 min walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colosseum | 73 | 2 h | ≈ €18 | 24 min walk |
| Roman Forum | 63 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €18 with Colosseum | 13 min walk |
| Circus Maximus | 63 | 30 min | Free | 22 min walk |
| Trajan's Column | 60 | 15 min | Free | 10 min walk |
| Capitoline Hill | 58 | 30 min | Free | 10 min walk |
| Castel Sant'Angelo | 57 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €15–20 | 21 min walk |
| Arch of Constantine | 57 | 15 min | Free | 22 min walk |
| Palatine Hill | 54 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €18 with Colosseum | 20 min walk |
| Largo di Torre Argentinayou are here | 53 | 30 min | Free from street; walkways ≈ €5 | — |
| Mausoleum of Augustus | 53 | 45 min | ≈ €5, booking | 21 min walk |
| Pyramid of Cestius | 52 | 20 min | Free | 37 min walk |
| Appian Way | 49 | 3 h | Free | 7.6 km |
| Domus Aurea | 49 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ €18, with VR ≈ €26 | 27 min walk |
| Mouth of Truth | 49 | 20 min | Donation ≈ €2 | 15 min walk |
| Baths of Caracalla | 48 | 1 h 15 min | ≈ €8 | 37 min walk |
| Catacombs of Rome | 48 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ €10–12 with guide | 31 min walk |
| Ara Pacis | 47 | 1 h | ≈ €13–15 | 22 min walk |
| Theatre of Marcellus | 47 | 20 min | Free | 7 min walk |
| Vatican Museums | 44 | 3 h | ≈ €25 | 39 min walk |
| Capitoline Museums | 43 | 2 h 30 min | ≈ €15–19.50 | 9 min walk |
| Baths of Diocletian | 42 | 1 h | Basilica free; museum ≈ €10–12 | 34 min walk |
| Basilica of San Clemente | 39 | 1 h | Upper free; excavations ≈ €10–12 | 32 min walk |
| Imperial Fora | 38 | 1 h | Free from the street; museum ≈ €13–15 | 12 min walk |
| Testaccio | 38 | 2 h | Free | 37 min walk |
| Palazzo Massimo | 34 | 2 h | ≈ €10–12 combined ticket | 33 min walk |
| Ostia Antica | 31 | 3 h | ≈ €12–18 | 22.2 km |
| Hadrian's Villa | 29 | 3 h | ≈ €12–15 | 25.2 km |
Baroque centre in a morning
Largo Argentina, the Gesù next door, Sant'Ignazio's painted ceiling and the Pantheon.
- Largo di Torre Argentinayou are here30 min · Free from street; walkways ≈ €5
- 4 min walk from the previous stopChurch of the Gesù30 min · Free
- 6 min walk from the previous stopSant'Ignazio30 min · Free
- 4 min walk from the previous stopPantheon30 min · ≈ €5
4 places · about 2 h 14 min with walks · 14 min on foot in total
Nearby and on the way
How to do it right
- The view from above is free.
- Cats love to doze on Temple B.
- Tram 8 to Trastevere starts here.
- The Pantheon is 5 minutes away.
Questions
What are the ruins at Largo Argentina?
Four Republican temples from the 4th–2nd centuries BC and remains of the Curia of Pompey.
Can you go down into the ruins?
Yes — walkways opened in 2023; entry is about €5.
Why is it called Argentina?
After the tower of Burckard of Strasbourg — Argentoratum in Latin.
Where is the cat sanctuary?
At the south-west corner of the square, down a staircase; free to visit.
Where is Largo Argentina?
In central Rome, between the Pantheon and Campo de' Fiori; tram 8 terminus.
How long do you need?
20 minutes from above, about 40 with the walkways.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- English Wikipedia, Largo di Torre Argentina
- Rome municipal museums (Sovrintendenza Capitolina): Area Sacra di Largo Argentina
Top YesGo picks: Rome
Trevi Fountain
Rome, Italy
Colosseum
Rome, Italy
St Peter's Basilica
Rome, Italy
Sistine Chapel
Rome, Italy
Archbasilica of St John Lateran
Rome, Italy
Roman Forum
Rome, Italy
Circus Maximus
Rome, Italy
Spanish Steps
Rome, Italy