Monuments into cemeteries? It happens in Rome

In all of Italy, the month of November is traditionally dedicated to the remembrance of each family’s dearly departed.

The whole country comes together to commemorate those who have passed, particularly during the local “Day of the Dead”, at the very start of the month.

However, taking a meditative walk into one of Rome’s cemeteries is a custom throughout this period of time – even if your loved ones are not there.

What’s more, bringing a flower to someone you don’t know has a special significance in these challenging times, and Rome offers the perfect backdrop for this ceremony of sorts – one that’s bittersweet and monumental, rather than morbid.

Some notes before you go visit a cemetery in Rome

Indeed, some of the city’s funerary grounds are worth a visit any time of the year, and we have listed some of them below. These are spaces that not only are the resting place of many of Italy’s greats: they are also fabulous displays of architecture, with shrines and statues that wouldn’t be out of place in museums.

Before reading on, just keep in mind that cemeteries are open to the public until right before sunset, so consider this if you don’t wish to be locked in, no matter the season!

And although we’re sure you don’t need a reminder, please be respectful: no music, no loud noises, and be aware that you may meet people during your walks who may have recently lost someone they loved.

Monumental cemeteries as recommended by From Home to Rome

The Non-Catholic Cemetery (Testaccio area)

A comfortable walk from the subway stop at Piramide and from many bus and tram stops (line no. 3 passes by here), we covered this jewel previously, in one of our our free walking tours for the neighborhood it’s in, here.

Established in 1716, here lie the mortal remains of many artists, intellectuals and important figures of the world’s history, among them Percy Bysshe Shelley, John Keats, Andrea Camilleri, Gregory Corso, painter Karl Brullov and many, many others. Notable works here include the chapel that sculptor Hendrik Andersen built for himself and the so-called Angel of Pain, a statue by William Wetmore Story.

TripAdvisor lists this cemetery as one of the most beautiful in all of Europe, along with the Verano Cemetery (see below).

Address: Via Caio Cestio, 6

Rome War Cemetery (Testaccio area)

Minutes from the entrance of the Non-Catholic Cemetery there is a small resting place with 426 tombs from as many foreign soldiers died in or around Rome during WWII. It is run by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Address: Via Nicola Zabaglia, 50

The Verano Cemetery (San Lorenzo area)

Hop back on tram line no. 3, headed north, to reach the biggest cemetery in central Rome. Perpetually controversial because of the deteriorating state of some of its spaces, the Verano is like a city within a city, with actual streets and buildings. We kind of enjoy its faded grandeur, to be completely fair: it’s like time has stood still in here.

Come here to marvel at the beauty of the tombs or to pay homage to some all time greats like Marcello Mastroianni, Maria Montessori, Vittorio Gassman and many more. So much so, you can read a list of all famous people buried in it at this address (in Italian).

And don’t forget to visit the Papal Basilica of Saint Lawrence outside the Walls while there: it’s one of Rome’s oldest churches, which unfortunately had to be partly rebuilt after the tragic bombings of the area in 1943.

Address: Piazzale del Verano, 1

French Military Cemetery

This walk takes a little effort, uphill as it is on the Monte Mario hill, dominating all of Rome in the very north of the city. But what a view from up here!

Within easy reach from the very noisy, chaotic Via della Camilluccia, it is actually a very calm, contemplative place, where French casualties lie who fell during WWII.

Address: Via Casali di Santo Spirito, 70