Meet the elegant citizens of Rome
Alight! after finding the gem –Church of St. Louis of the French (San Luigi dei Francesi) which was not mentioned in our guide book, we couldn’t be happier and were feeling Rome was full of adventures awaiting for us.
Largo di Torre Argentina is another place is not mentioned often in major tourists tours either… at least compared with the gigantic Colosseum or Pantheon, but it actually is one of the places that made a big impact in history, because it is the place where Julius Caesar got assassinated…
This was the place where the famous lines ‘et tu, Brute’ took place and on march 15 of 44 BC (Ides means 15, whence ‘beware the ides of March’) Julius Caesar fell.
Aside from the history-changing key moment, the site was used to be four Roman Republican temples and the remains of Pompey’s Theatre (The first theater of Rome). It can be dated back to fourth century BC to first century AD. you can still see the columns, stairs to imaging the original sizes, however, you can spot on the most lovely citizens of Rome there! it’s not human beings, it’s cats! 
Largo di Torre Argentina is now a cat sanctuary of Rome, the no killing shelter took three outdoor places throughout whole Rome. you can see their website here: http://www.romancats.com/ If the story of the assassination of Caesar is too heavy for you, looking at those cats will make you feel better. As cat lovers like us, we certainly enjoy the view of cats in every city. But please remember do not feed them as they are all taking care by the shelter already. however, any donation or volunteer to the organization will be helpful if you would like to spread your love.
Another historical building worth mentioning is The Teatro Argentina which was an 18th-century opera house and theatre located in the square. Gioachino Rossini’s The Barber of Seville in 1816, Giuseppe Verdi’s Foscari in 1844, and La battaglia di Legnano in 1849 all premiered here. We always love to see some local art performances wherever we travel, but this time we could not find the right time to fit in our schedule, so hopefully some other time we will catch up in this historical theater!
By the way, it is said Rome will be reopen this archeology site to tourists in 2021. I am not so sure about the impact to cat shelter in here yet, but hopefully they will be still be supported even when they open to public.
The time we visit here is about 2 pm, which is completely right, it’s not a huge tourist attraction, so we enjoyed our time and could capture pictures
Some tips for visiting Largo di Torre Argentina:
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- it’s a free admission site to visit so you do not need to worry about the time, but since it’s an open space, it could be getting really hot especially in summer time… so better avoid the middle of the day.
- Do not feed the cats, it’s so lovely but they are all taken care by the shelter.
Are you also that kinda travelers who love to see cats or local art shows? what’s your favorite show you had so far? and any recommendations? feel free to leave your comment below.
I wish you had enjoyed today’s sharing. follow me ＠gabbie_arciniegas & @betterthanauthentic on Instagram or sign up the newsletter of the blog! you will get notification of new post here! Ciao!
This post is one of the attractions from our Ultimate Rome 6 day trip itinerary Day 1, you can click each of the names to see the full post.
Day 1:
Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain)→ Pantheon & Fontana del Pantheon→ Obelisco Della Minerva (Elephant and Obelisk)→ Church of St. Louis of the French (San Luigi dei Francesi) → Largo di Torre Argentina→ Capitoline Museums
Julio Cesar, la historia, la arqueología, Los Gatos, los shows. Que maravillosas opciones y todas en un mismo lugar!!!
Gracias Gabbie querida, por traer con este artículo, el recuerdo de Los Gatos del Cairo… allí son venerados y abundan por todos lados, desde la antigüedad Bastet en calidad de diosa, los “protege” en las calles, hogares y templos.🐱
my dear mom! thanks so much for commenting! yes! I believe those cats will be protected and be respected forever! love you <3
METELLUS: Most high, most mighty, and most puissant [powerful] Caesar,
Metellus Cimber throws before thy seat 40
A humble heart,— [Kneeling.
CAESAR: I must prevent thee, Cimber.
These couchings [bows] and these lowly courtesies,
Might fire the blood of ordinary men,
And turn pre-ordinance and first decree 45
Into the law of children. Be not fond,
To think that Caesar bears such rebel blood
That will be thaw’d from the true quality
With that which melteth fools; I mean sweet words,
Low-crooked curtsies, and base spaniel fawning. 50
[And turn . . . fawning: And turn established laws into rules that a child can change at whim. Be not so ignorant to think that you can change my mind with arguments that appeal to fools—arguments presented with flattery, bows, and the base fawning of a dog that wags its tail and whines for attention.]
Thy brother by decree is banished:
If thou dost bend and pray and fawn for him,
I spurn thee like a cur out of my way.
Know, Caesar doth not wrong, nor without cause
Will he be satisfied. 55
METELLUS: Is there no voice more worthy than my own,
To sound more sweetly in great Caesar’s ear
For the repealing of my banish’d brother?
BRUTUS: I kiss thy hand, but not in flattery, Caesar;
Desiring thee, that Publius Cimber may 60
Have an immediate freedom of repeal.
[that Publius . . . repeal: that you will cancel the sentence of banishment for Metellus Cimber’s brother, Publius. (Brutus kneels while making his plea.)]
CAESAR: What, Brutus!
CASSIUS: Pardon, Caesar; Caesar, pardon:
As low as to thy foot doth Cassius fall,
To beg enfranchisement [freedom; release] for Publius Cimber. 65
CAESAR: I could be well mov’d if I were as you;
If I could pray to move, prayers would move me;
But I am constant as the northern star,
Of whose true-fix’d and resting quality
There is no fellow [no similar star; no duplicate or twin] in the firmament. 70
The skies are painted with unnumber’d sparks [stars, comets, etc.],
They are all fire and every one doth shine,
But there’s but one in all doth hold his place:
So, in the world; ’tis furnish’d well with men,
And men are flesh and blood, and apprehensive; 75
Yet in the number I do know but one
That unassailable holds on his rank,
Unshak’d of motion: and that I am he,
[Unshak’d . . . motion: Unshaken in his resolve. (Caesar says he will not change his mind.)]
Let me a little show it, even in this,
That I was constant Cimber should be banish’d, 80
And constant do remain to keep him so.
CINNA: O Caesar,—
CAESAR: Hence! Wilt thou lift up Olympus!
[Hence! . . . Olympus: Go away! Even if you lifted Mount Olympus, I would not change my mind.]
DECIUS: Great Caesar,—
CAESAR: Doth not Brutus bootless [futilely; in vain] kneel? 85
[Doth . . . kneel: Can’t you see that even Brutus, kneeling, has failed to persuade me?]
CASCA: Speak, hands, for me! [They stab Caesar.
CAESAR: Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar! [Dies.
[Et tu Brute (pronounced et too BROO tay): Latin for “And you, Brutus?” Caesar is expressing his surprise that his supposed friend is among the assassins.]
nice! thanks for sharing this!