It was only our first visit to Rome and there are Forums and Colosseums to see. But then we booked a trip with Eating Italy Food Tours and ended up at Rome's most beautiful burial ground, The Protestant Cemetery of Rome also known as The Non-Catholic Cemetery for Foreigners.

I know, You're wondering why on earth we were at a cemetery on a walking tour through markets and traditional eateries?

The answer is, this isn't your every day food tour. It's an culinary journey through Rome's culture and history. Kenny, our guide had many a story to share about the area and it's past and our stop at the cemetery was on of the many highlights of the day.

Tour The Protestant Cemetery in Rome

The Non-Catholic Cemetery for Foreigners claims to have the highest density of famous and important graves anywhere in the world. While I would argue that there are many cemeteries that rivals Rome's claim to fame, I cannot deny that it was impressive.

First of it's kind, many replicas have since been commissioned

It's most famous resident is the poet Keats. His tragic story comes to a bitter end here, at this serene resting place. Suffering from tuberculosis, his doctors told him to go to Rome to take advantage of the Mediterranean climate. Sadly, he only lasted for 4 months before succoming to his disease.

Regrettably, Keats was never acknowledged as a great poet during his short life. Neither the critics nor public embraced his prose. It tormented him to be dying at the young age of 25 before he had the chance to be recognized by the world resulting in his final wish to have his name omitted from the gravestone. Instead his epitaph read:

“This Grave contains all that was Mortal of a YOUNG ENGLISH POET”  “Here Lies the One Whose Name was Writ in Water”

What is interesting is he is buried alongside a man who died some 50 years later. Joseph Severn was with Keats on his death bed, and while some people believe that he pays tribute to his dear friend by stating on his own epitaph “Devoted friend and deathbed companion of John Keats.” Other's state that he was a name dropper, who even in death needed to be associated with fame.

Keats Tombstone

When you look closely at the grave of his own son just behind the Keats and Severn graves, you can draw your own conclusions.

It states: “The infant son of Joseph Severn…accidentally killed in 1837. The poet Wordsworth was present at his baptism.”

He seems like a bit of a name dropper to me. After all, Keats didn't want his name written  on his tombstone, we wanted to float away into obscurity and here his friend Joseph Severn buried himself right beside Keats and put his name on his own tomb!

Poet Shelley Tomb

Keats isn't the only famous poet in the cemetery. The poet Shelley is also buried among these grounds. Percy Bysshe Shelley (Husband of Mary Shelley of Frankenstein fame) wasn't suffering from a disease but still died at the young age of 29. A man living life on the edge, he sailed out to sea, even after everyone warned him of a coming storm.

“Don't go out to sea” they said, “you'll die.” He didn't listen and sure enough he died.

Fittingly a verse from Shakespeare's the Tempest is written on his grave “Nothing of him that doth fade, But doth suffer a sea-change  Into something rich and strange.”

Ancient Times in the Protestant Cemetery

One of the most striking tombs in the cemetery dates back to 12 BC. At 36 metres high, it is definitely an unexpected site.

The grand pyramid dating back to 12 BC

Caius Cestius, a magistrate of ancient Rome had the tomb built for himself when everything Egyptian was fashionable in Rome.

Kenny told us that Cestius was against slavery – and yet he used slaves for the 330 days it took to build his tomb. He also said that after Cestius' death, it was discovered that he wasn't as rich as he appeared to be and the estate didn't have the money to cover the construction of the pyramid. Instead of placing his body within the tomb, they threw it into the Tiber River.

Somber setting at Protestant Cemetery

There are many famous and important tombs in the cemetery and it is a wonderful stroll through Rome's colourful past, but it is also a beautiful escape from the chaos of Rome.

This little oasis in the Testaccio part of town is not to be missed.

Especially if you get to do it on a walking food tour with Kenny. His energy is contagious and you'll love listening to him tell a good yarn.

Hint – One of his stories involves The Mafia, the Vatican, a shootout on a scooter and gelato all rolled into one intriguing mystery! You'll have to take the tour to find out what happens.

For More on our tour with Kenny visit Rome Food Tour, Our First Culinary Journey
To book with Kenny, Visit his website at Eating Italy Food Tours, voted #4 in best Tours in Rome on Trip Advisor.

Information on the Protestant Cemetery

Location of Protestant or Non Catholic Cemetery
Via Caio Cestio, 6 Rome
00153 Roma

Opening hours:
Monday-Saturday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm (last entrance:4.30 pm)
Sundays and public holidays 9.00 am to 1.00 pm (last entrance:12.30 pm)

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