Circus of Maxentius
Circus of Maxentius
4.5
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Neighborhood: Ardeatino
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3,269 within 3 miles
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2,502 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
17 reviews
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claudio d
Viterbo, Italy44,690 contributions
Aug 2023
Inside the archaeological area known as "Villa di Maxentius" (and located between the 2nd and 3rd mile of the Appia Antica), among the remains of the complex built at the beginning of the 4th century by the emperor Maxentius, a place of the foreground certainly goes to the Circus. It is an arena for chariot races of more than considerable dimensions (probably second only to that of the Circus Maximus), being 512 meters long with a central spine of 296 meters and a width of 92 meters. With these measures it is difficult to support the hypothesis that it was only a circus for private shows of the emperor and any of his guests. Today the steps are no longer there, the emperor's stage is a ruin, as is almost the entire prison complex, and there are no remains of the spina (which had swimming pools, sculptures and an obelisk: the latter is today in Piazza Navona). what walls invaded by grass; but the structural perimeter is substantially intact and this allows us to still appreciate its shape and dimensions; the impressive remains of the lateral towers of the prisons and the openings that follow one another between the perimeter walls offer suggestive views (also towards the nearby mausoleum of Cecilia Metella); the Porta Triumphalis, on the short curved side, and the Porta Libitinensis, in the center of the long southern side, have also reached us. Entrance to the archaeological area of the Villa of Maxentius is always free.
Written August 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marco P
Rome, Italy21 contributions
Sep 2024 • Friends
The Palace of Maxentius on the ancient Appian Way is one of the most suggestive archaeological areas of the Roman countryside.
The complex was built between the second and third mile of the Via Appia Antica, to celebrate the emperor Maxentius, Constantine's opponent in the battle of Ponte Milvio (312 AD).
Inside the monumental complex you can admire the imposing remains of the imperial residence: among them the Circus, visible for almost its total extension, and the Mausoleum, recently reopened to the public, after several years of restoration, also known as "Tomb of Romulus", a young son of the Emperor who was buried here.
The complex was built between the second and third mile of the Via Appia Antica, to celebrate the emperor Maxentius, Constantine's opponent in the battle of Ponte Milvio (312 AD).
Inside the monumental complex you can admire the imposing remains of the imperial residence: among them the Circus, visible for almost its total extension, and the Mausoleum, recently reopened to the public, after several years of restoration, also known as "Tomb of Romulus", a young son of the Emperor who was buried here.
Automatically translated
Written October 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Em B
Brisbane, Australia87 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
Quickly stop in and visit the Circus of Maxentius when you are on the Appian Way. It's free, its quick and it seems to be as well preserved as the Circus Maximus but without the fee.
Written July 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melissa K
3 contributions
Feb 2025 • Couples
A place full of charm, the setting for many films. A curiosity, this is where the obelisk in St. Peter's Square comes from
Written February 2, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LoveToTravelTerrie
Frisco, TX1,298 contributions
Jul 2019 • Couples
We stopped in while walking the Appian Way (about mile 3 from the entrance of the trail). There was no charge to get in but we put a donation in the box that was close to the entrance. Although the place was mostly basic ruins, there were a few helpful info panels. It was amazing to think of it being busy and full of people back in the day.
There were 2 other buildings in the ruins in addition to this track. Each place was a fair distance from each other so took a bit of walking. There was a tractor mowing the fields so maybe some upkeep/improvements going on.
There were 2 other buildings in the ruins in addition to this track. Each place was a fair distance from each other so took a bit of walking. There was a tractor mowing the fields so maybe some upkeep/improvements going on.
Written July 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul R
Wellingborough, UK799 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
The Appian way is a fantastic site in itself, but is studded, to either side, with historical attractions to visit. I was impressed by all of those I saw but this was definitely my favourite.
The ruins of the villa and circus are picturesque, dramatic and fascinating. The grounds surrounding the site are beautifully kept and planted and there are well maintained information boards at several key points that give a good feeling of what the place would have been like in its day.
The whole site is set in lush countryside and surrounded by green woodland.
The site is free to visit and, although there is a donation box, nobody appears to take note of whether you contribute or not, less still pressurise you to do so. Having said that, I think most people will feel a donation is in order for such a well organised and interesting site.
The ruins of the villa and circus are picturesque, dramatic and fascinating. The grounds surrounding the site are beautifully kept and planted and there are well maintained information boards at several key points that give a good feeling of what the place would have been like in its day.
The whole site is set in lush countryside and surrounded by green woodland.
The site is free to visit and, although there is a donation box, nobody appears to take note of whether you contribute or not, less still pressurise you to do so. Having said that, I think most people will feel a donation is in order for such a well organised and interesting site.
Written June 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phat_dawg_21
Alpharetta, GA17,330 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
This race track was smaller than the better known Circus Maximus, holding only approximately 10,000 spectators, but is much better preserved. It is the second largest of all circuses, only beaten by Circus Maximus. It is the best preserved of all Roman circuses.
In the ruins you can see the outline of the 500 meter long racing track as well as the two gate towers. These towers would have contained mechanism for raising the starting gates to allow the chariots to race down the track.
It was known until the 19th century as the Circus of Caracalla. It was during the track excavation in the 19th century, that archeologists found an inscription which dedicated the circus to the “divine Romulus”. This was what helped the historians to identify the circus as Circus Maxentius, rather than the Circus of Caracalla.
Good signage in English.
Admission is free
In the ruins you can see the outline of the 500 meter long racing track as well as the two gate towers. These towers would have contained mechanism for raising the starting gates to allow the chariots to race down the track.
It was known until the 19th century as the Circus of Caracalla. It was during the track excavation in the 19th century, that archeologists found an inscription which dedicated the circus to the “divine Romulus”. This was what helped the historians to identify the circus as Circus Maxentius, rather than the Circus of Caracalla.
Good signage in English.
Admission is free
Written May 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David B
El Barco de Avila, Spain707 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
This is a free site on the Via Appia Antica between the Tomb of Cecilia Matella and the catacombs. We wandered in and found a site which preserves the circus of the emperor Maxentius which from the information panels must have been impressive in its day. The towers at the start of the racing area are well preserved and you then see the grassed area which formed the circus. Nearby is a Mausoleum supposedly built for Maxentius' son Romulus which preserves some decoration and which you can go inside. There are also apparently some palace remains but we could not find these!
Written May 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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