It’s an unexcapable landmark for visitors in Rome, who feel increasingly frustrated by the lack of opportunity to visit it. We’re talking about the ruins at Largo di Torre Argentina, smack dab in the middle of the old city, only accessible to academics (here’s looking at you, Mary Beard!) and to the large colony of stray cats that are cared for by the volunteers at the edge of the area.

Things are finally about to the change for the beloved site, walking distance to many of our  managed apartments (for instance, Catalana al Ghetto), which hosts some of Rome’s oldest temples as well as Pompey’s Theatre, the place where Julius Caesar himself was killed in 44 B.C.

Private funding comes knocking

As a matter of fact, the Bulgari family has decided to finance a number of archaeological works in the so-called Sacred Area. The luxury jewellers will donate 1 million Euros to restore what remains of the temples, which have become increasingly rundown due to car fumes. What’s more important, boardwalks will be put in place so as to make the whole site accessible to the public.

Interestingly, the Bulgaris had previously funded the restoration of the Spanish Steps, and part of the money used towards the works at Largo di Torre Argentina is actually “leftovers” from those upgrades.

Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi announced that the works will be completed in the second half of 2021. In the meantime archaeologists should be starting their activities in full view of passers-by, who will surely appreciate the delicate work on these Republican-era buildings.

Group tours and skip-the-line tickets