The Pyramid of Cestius, erected just prior to the "common era" or birth of Christ, the tomb was so massive that this portion of the Roman Wall incorporated it. Over 2,000 years old, it was recently restored and cleaned up.
I knew about the Non-Catholic Cemetery of Rome as the grave site of English poets and some of their families and friends; there is so much to see in Rome, I did not think it would be likely to visit.
But our energetic tour guide and youngest son, Ian, managed to steer us in this direction as we walked to the museum that was our goal.
There cannot be a "happy cemetery", but this one is so evocative, with so much history, in such a fabulous location, so beloved and tended! This area, near the Pyramid, is a "Poets Corner" with people like Keats and Shelley, etc. could certainly be inviting to people who love the works of these writers.
There were places to sit: contemplate your surroundings? read a poem or story of your favorite writer? (It reminded me of the William Faulkner home in Oxford, MS: the yard is furnished with lots of chairs where people can think about the writer, read or discuss his work with others.)
The main section of the cemetery is devoted to thousands of Protestants, Jewish people and others who died in Rome or intended to be interred here.
Impressive displays of lovely tomb art, worthy of a visit on their own merits.
Modern works, too.
We spent nearly an hour here--admission is "free" but they expect and appreciate a donation; suggested 3-Euro per head.
I'm so glad we got to see a part of this; it is large. It has a nice bathroom, too; always a consideration in Rome. They have water.
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