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The site's history, services, useful information and in-depth tools
The cemetery's history
The History of the Non-Catholic Cemetery in Rome
The Cemetery for non-Catholics in Rome dates back to at least 1716 when records show that members of the Stuart Court in exile from England were allowed by Pope Clement XI to be buried in front of the Pyramid [LINK to Newsletter 21]. Other non-Catholics, many of them young people on the Grand Tour, were also allowed to be buried here. The land then and now is adjacent to two ancient monuments – the Pyramid of Caius Cestius dating to approximately 12 B.C. and the Aurelian city wall – that form an impressive backdrop for the Cemetery.
Notable graves
The Cemetery is remarkable for the great concentration of artists, writers, scholars and diplomats who have been buried in it. Many had settled in Rome for their work, others had chosen to live in Italy, and yet others died as a result of illness or accident while visiting the country.
OTHER MONUMENTS NEARBY
The Non-Catholic Cemetery is situated in Testaccio, a historic quarter of Rome that is full of other monuments of interest.
Four only of them are briefly described here: the Pyramid of Gaius Cestius which dominates the Parte Antica of the Cemetery; a long stretch of the Aurelian Walls which were built to enclose Rome in the 3rd century AD; the Porta San Paolo served as a gate in the city walls; and finally the Monte Testaccio, a remarkable artificial hill resulting from the disposal of Roman amphorae.
INFOPOINT
Database of burials (Infopoint)
The online Infopoint is a digital reference service where you can search information about the deceased and graves in our cemetery. It is a database composed of some of the data in our archives and is accompanied by advanced search tools to make it easier to find the information you are looking for.
useful links
Useful links are a valuable resource for users and provide easy access to relevant and valuable content. Our collection of useful links aims to enhance the experience of users browsing the site and promote the sharing of knowledge and resources online. If you are looking for information about associations, collaborators, other cemeteries, or museums try searching this list .
VISITORS' CENTER
The Visitors Centre is the Cemetery’s information point. It intends to serve both Concession Holders (the families of the deceased) and the wider public. When you arrive at the Cemetery, go to the Visitor Center to leave your donations and to receive information. Here you can also purchase the map, consult the digital database of graves and other books about the cemetery such as the volume “The Non-Catholic Cemetery in Rome” by Nicholas Stanley Price
Publications & Media
The media section lists a selection of pieces about the Non-Catholic Cemetery and its history, as well as podcasts and articles in various languages.
The section also contains some very interesting documentaries about the history of the Cemetery and its characteristic use since 1716.
