The Eternal City, the City of Love, call it what you may, Rome, Italy is on the bucket lists of many. And for good reason! Rome is the treasure chest of Italy bursting with two millennia of artistic achievement. In a place where an entire empire of gold was crowned into centuries of rulers, where Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel and where the Vatican City upholds some of the longest kept secrets in the world, you can believe there are quite a few “off the beaten path” things to do in Rome (beyond your tourist map). But if you’re looking for a really cool travel story, you’ll want to hit up these creepy places in Rome.

 

As my son like’s to say “in the olden days” Rome was an empire known for its fierce warriors and mighty reign. Today Rome’s formidable legacy is carried on by its people, its history, a lifestyle. Today’s Rome will always have footprints of the past while cultivating a modern society rich with art, food and tourism. And if you look close enough, you’ll find there’s a very dark and obscure side to the Eternal City. 

 

Creepy Places in Rome that You Should Totally Visit – Things to

Do in Rome

 

1.Torre Argentina 

 

A square in Rome where Julius Caesar had been killed. It’s also a really weird habitat for stray cats and acts as a no-kill shelter. I kind of hope its haunted. Even if it’s not, it’s certainly one of the creepy places in Rome that will give you the willies.

 

By Wknight94 - Own work CC License

 

2. Porta Alchemica AKA the Alchemy Gate or Magic Portal

 

Built between 1678 and 1680 by Massimiliano Palombara, marquis of Pietraforte, in his residence, the villa Palombara, it is the only one of five former gates of the villa that remains. This mysterious door holds legends of a disappearing alchemist. Yeah, that’s just cool. On my top for creepy places in Rome, or things to do in Rome in general. 

 

By Sailko - Own work, CC
By Sailko – Own work, CC

 

3. Santa Maria della Concezione Crypts

 

Said to be the inspiration of the Sedlec ossuary (1870) in the Czech Republic and the Skull Chapel in Poland, this crypt or ossuary has the remains of 4,000 friars buried between 1500 and 1870. It originated at a time when spiritual masters formed cults for the dead. Creepy? Definitely at the top of my list for things to do in Rome.

 

By Dnalor 01 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, httpscommons.wikimedia.orgwindex.phpcurid=32641593
By Dnalor Own work CC License

 

 

4. St. Valentine’s Skull

 

A skull belonging to a St. Valentine. Perhaps the one we base Valentine’s Day around, perhaps not. Either way, it’s a skull in an old basilica in Rome which makes this creepy and pretty cool. And another super favorite for things to do in Rome.

 

Photo Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P. under Creative Commons License
Photo Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P. under Creative Commons License

 

5. The Protestant Cemetery 

 

The English poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley were buried in this non-Catholic graveyard. I did graveyards. It’s the creepy side of my unicorn spirit.

 

Cimitero_Acattolico_Roma By LuciusCommons - Own work, Public Domain
By LuciusCommons – Own work, Public Domain

 

6. Lacus Curtius

 

Some say this is one of the gateways to Hell. Ancient legend has it an oracle convinced a young horseman to plunge into the mysterious pit (now paved over with ancient stone), an effort to save Rome from peril. He did so, fully armored, on his horse and the earth closed over him, saving the day and Rome. You have to love a man and his horse right?

 

Roma Foro Romano Lacus Curtius By MM - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0,
Roma Foro Romano Lacus Curtius By MM – Own work, CC

 

7. San Silvestro 

 

Where you will find the head of John the Baptist. Yeah. It’s not one of the more creepy places in Rome, then I don’t know what is.

 

By Queenofthewilis at English Wikipedia - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., Public Domain, httpscommons.wikimedia.orgwindex.phpcurid=3101254
By Queenofthewilis at English Wikipedia – Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., Public Domain

 

8. The Catacombs of San Sebastia

 

One of the many ancient burial grounds beneath the city of Rome.

 

Catacombs S. Sebastiano CC BY 2.0, httpscommons.wikimedia.orgwindex.phpcurid=1749437
CC BY 2.0,

 

9. Santa Francesca Romania 

 

Has the saint in which it’s named for on display in death. Like, ew. Certainly one of the more creepy places in Rome.

 

Saint francesca Romana by Antonio Acuña
Photo by Antonio Acuña under Creative Commons License
 

If you’re planning your list of things to do in Rome or you just want to peg a few of the creepy places in Rome (cause let’s be honest, you just don’t want to come home with another travel story that sounds like everyone else’s), check out a few of these places. You’re guaranteed to get a conversation going. If you’re looking for some extra help in the city to explore a little more like a local, check out.

Author

Christa Thompson is the Founder and Chief Editor of The Fairytale Traveler. She started traveling the world in 2003 when she attended a summer abroad study at the University of Cambridge in England. Since then, her wanderlust has been fierce. Her three passions in life are her son, traveling, and being creative. The Fairytale Traveler brand gives Christa the opportunity to do all of these things and to live intentionally every day. "It's never too late to believe in what you love and to pursue your dreams." -Christa Thompson

7 Comments

  1. This is such a cool list, I visited Rome many years ago but I would love to go back there’s just so much to see there xoxo

  2. Pingback: 35 Magical and Otherworldy Fairy Tale Travel Bucket List Ideas |

  3. Pingback: 5 Unusual Travel Experiences to Try That Will Totally Impress Your Friends |

Write A Comment