Largo Argentina

Hi Sheron,

I think Largo Argentina is interesting, but you can see everything from street level. It's an excavated section of street that's open on all four sides, so you can see everything in the area below. Signs explain what you are looking at. I'm not sure what would be gained from a tour, unless you are allowed to go down there and walk around. Some people believe Caesar was killed here, that the senate was meeting here when the assassination took place, so maybe the chance to stand where he might have stood would be exciting to some. I would look at it from street level at your convenience and not make a special effort to be there on a particular schedule. As a side note, it's a cat sanctuary and crawling with cats.

For what it's worth, here's what Wikipedia says about the Largo Argentina tour:
Located in Largo Argentina is the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary, a no-kill shelter for homeless cats (of which Rome has many), as the historical area abounds with various breeds of cats. The volunteers at the shelter give daily tours of the ruins at 4:30 PM (4:00 PM in winter).

Largo Argentina is one of my favorite spots in the Pantheon area. The combination of the ancient ruins and all the cats resting in the sun and running around on the ruins is fabulous. Last December, when I was last in Rome I went there every day.

We first saw it in 2003. We just happened to stumble across it as evening was falling - one of the joys of wandering around in Rome. Since we're both cat lovers, it was a highlight of our visit.

Thanks for the information. I want to visit the cat sanctuary; I rented a DVD all about the Largo Argentina cat sanctuary & the ladies that run it. I will try to take the tour that they give through the ruins. Thanks so much.

Let us know if you take it.....I'd love to know about it. I'll be back in Rome in September.

When I was at Largo Argentina in May, the cats were still there but it appeared that the gift shop had closed. I took the tour about 5 years ago and it was fascinating - given by the wife of a diplomat who was a history buff. No cost, just a request to make a donation to the shelter or buy something at the shop. Has anyone seen activity at the shop or a sign for the tour recently? Maybe Ron will chime in with an update.

I went on the website for the cat sanctuary & there's no mention of a tour that is offered. I will inquire about it when I visit the sanctuary.

We were in Rome in June, '09, and, while we stopped by Largo Argentina every day (our hotel was nearby, and we're cat lovers), we were unable to find the tour or any way to visit the shelter (besides viewing it from the street).

Many people don't realize that there is a smaller cat sanctuary within the Protestant Cemetery. It is near the Pyramid and accessible by a short train ride. It may not be as interesting as Largo Argentina, but the cemetery is beautiful and very much like a park--lush trees and plants everywhere. It is free but a donation is suggested. A portion of the ancient Roman wall is nearby and there is a small museum there.