Where Poets Rest… and Maybe Get Bored: The Protestant Cemetery in Rome

The Protestant Cemetery in Rome is where poets, artists, and free spirits come to rest (and perhaps yawn) for eternity. One of the quietest places in Rome, where even silence seems to have something to say.

Strolling Among Tombs and Pyramids: Welcome to the Chicest Cemetery in Rome 

Picture this: you’re in Rome, the city of tourist crowds, Colosseum selfies, and massive margherita pizzas. But at some point, you decide to escape the chaos, and you find yourself at the Protestant Cemetery. Here, things get quiet… maybe too quiet. But don’t worry, there are a few surprises in store.

First off, there’s a Roman pyramid – yes, an actual pyramid – and no, it’s not a miniature. It’s the Pyramid of Cestius, making the surrounding graves look a little envious. This place is perfect if you like peaceful spots, stray cats wandering around, and a touch of gothic mystery. It’s a hidden corner where you can stroll among tall cypress trees and artistic tombs that seem straight out of an Edgar Allan Poe novel, with Keats’s spirit watching you from the beyond.

The cemetery is divided into two sections: the older one, where you’ll find poets like John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley (people who never quite finished their books, apparently), and the modern part, where artists, writers, and diplomats from various countries are buried. The tombs are true works of art, with sculptures and inscriptions that rival the best poems.

A Cemetery for Those Who Didn’t Want to Mingle with the Locals

In 1716, Rome decided it might be a good idea not to bury everyone in the same place, especially if they were Protestants or "foreigners" (aka non-Catholics). Thus, the idea for the Protestant Cemetery was born. Since then, it has become the eternal refuge of intellectuals, artists, and restless spirits who preferred to stay clear of traditional religious ceremonies.

John Keats: When Rome Became the Perfect Place for a Doomed Poet

John Keats died young, and if you’ve ever been near his tomb, you’ve noticed there’s no name on it. Why? Well, it seems he didn’t want to be recognized by those who didn’t appreciate him enough in life. Ah, poets and their modesty.

Percy Shelley: The Poet Who Never Stopped Defying Fate

Shelley is here too, and his story is just as tragic. He died in a shipwreck, his body was cremated, but his heart – literally – was kept by his wife, Mary Shelley. So, the cemetery also welcomes broken hearts… in a very literal sense.

Cats, Ghosts, and Bored Poets: Welcome to the Protestant Cemetery

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Protestant Cemetery is the feline population. Yes, you heard that right. The stray cats here practically run the place. They wander among the tombs with the air of someone who knows way more than you do. And then there are the ghosts (maybe). They say that at night, among the shadows of the cypress trees, you might hear the murmur of a poet who hasn’t finished reciting his verses yet. Or maybe it’s just the wind. Who knows?

The Perfect Place for Poets, Cats, and Lovers of Silence

If you’re someone who enjoys quiet, meditative atmospheres, this is the right place for you. You won’t find selfie sticks, street vendors, or guided tours with microphones. You’ll find only peace. The Protestant Cemetery is an oasis of silence in a city that never seems to stop. Walking among its graves makes you feel like part of an ancient story, while you enjoy the tranquility and the (silent) company of the doomed poets.