Casa delle Vestali
Casa delle Vestali
4.5
9:00 AM - 7:15 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 7:15 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 7:15 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 7:15 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 7:15 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 7:15 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 7:15 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 7:15 PM
About
The Atrium Vestae, or Casa delle Vestali, is located next to the Temple of Vesta in the eastern side of the Roman Forum, at the foot of the Palatine Hill. The Vestal Virgins - six at any one time - were priestesses chosen to tend to the temple dedicated to Vesta, the powerful Roman goddess of the hearth, as well as performing rites and ceremonies throughout the year, in a tradition dating back to the seventh century BC.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Neighbourhood: Campitelli
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- Fori Imperiali-Colosseo • 6 min walk
- Colosseo • 6 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
135 reviews
Excellent
59
Very good
54
Average
22
Poor
0
Terrible
0
serhanozel
Alanya, Türkiye1,082 contributions
Jun 2019
these building teach us old nations rafined art sense. pools, archs had been not forgatten. we have to follow some rules traditionel house making.
Written September 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Spanish Steps Apartment
Rome, Italy33,965 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Once a large, multi-storied home to Rome's Vestal Virgins, who tended the fire in the nearby round temple of Vesta (of which several pillars and parts of a wall still stand). Statues of some of the Vestals decorate the courtyard, which has a small pool and is planted with roses (which were still blooming in early October).
Written October 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tyler M
Rapid City, SD78 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
Part of the same area as the Forum, so you don't have to pay twice. This is a really cool bit of history about some of the lesser known parts of Rome.
Written September 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hayzeus29
Woodbridge, VA59 contributions
Sept 2011 • Couples
One of the better preserved of the ruins at Roman Forum.
One of the least historically significant sights when on the Combined Entrance Ticket -Colosseum, Palatine, and Roman Forum.
One of the least historically significant sights when on the Combined Entrance Ticket -Colosseum, Palatine, and Roman Forum.
Written October 29, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AdamLeaves
Canberra, Australia520 contributions
Sept 2019
The building which housed the virgins is ruined with little more than the floor plan being evident. But the best part of the place is the story. The Vestal Virgins job was to keep the Roman flame alight and it was a position of great privilege and importance. Apparently virgins who lasted 30 years retired wealthy but those who were found not to be virgins were put to death. Suggest download Rick Steve' free audioguide which gives and entertaining and knowledgeable account.
Written October 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChiefGuru
Decatur, IN3,300 contributions
Jun 2019
The House of the Vestal Virgins (Vesta was the goddess of the hearth, the home, and domestic life) is located in front of Palatine Hill with the Domus Tiberiana and behind the circular Temple of Vesta, near the Regia and the Temple of Romulus. The original house was built in the 6th century B.C., and the Vestal Virgins occupied this area until 394 A.D., when the cult was outlawed (dissolution of the College of the Vestals and the introduction of compulsory Christianity was done by Theodosius I). Afterward, the building was used for Imperial offices. The building was a three-story 50-room palace with an elongated court with a double pool. Today, remains of the statues of the Vestals can be seen in the courtyard. Romans believed the cult of the Vestal Virgins was instituted under the eighth-century B.C. king Numa Pompilius, second king of Rome and the successor of Rome's founder, Romulus. The Vestal Virgins were six to seven in number, they were selected by the Pontifex Maximus (chief high priest of the College of Pontiffs in ancient Rome) to serve for thirty years. They are reported to have learned the sacred rites during the first ten years, performed them during the second ten, and taught them during the last ten. The Vestals were to remain chaste, tend the eternal flame, safeguard the sacred objects within the Temple of Vesta, and prepare the grain mixed with salt for sacrifice. They enjoyed privileges denied other women. At the end of service, they were released from their vows and free to marry, although few did so. The Vestals were responsible to the Pontifex Maximus, who resided in the domus publica, which was part of the House of the Vestals. Originally, the Pontifex Maximus and the emperor were separate people. However, beginning with Emperor Augustus, the emperor and the Pontifex Maximus were the same person. This is a must seen when visiting the Forum.
Written September 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom C
South Jordan, UT270 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
This structure is not as well preserved as some of the other venues. But it is so amazing to see it especially if you know some of the history behind this fascinating group.
Written January 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PrestonGuild
United Kingdom56,030 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
Part of the Roman Forum, this is the House of the Vestal Virgins who maintained the flame of the Temple of Vesta. It was an ancient place of worship but now forms an important part of the ruins.
Written May 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Czar Emmanuel
Manila, Philippines10,222 contributions
Aug 2017
A visit to the Roman Forums in the city of Rome can be quite overwhelming for a first timer. There's just too much to see, too much history to take in, and sometimes you simply do not know where to start. A qualified guide is necessary in this case, or at least a lot of reading and study before one visits the place. All these hold true particularly when you visit the "Casa delle Vestali" or the "House of the Vestal Virgins".
At first glance, there seems to be not so much to see and to admire in the site. Just a pile of ruins, apparently. But knowing the important role that the Vestal virgins played in ancient times can set your imagination on fire and really help you appreciate the ruins laying before you. This was my experience when I first visited this archaeological site. The fact that some of the structures that once composed this ancient place of worship is amazing in itself. It truly brings you back in time, to centuries back even before the Christian era.
The House of the Vestal Virgins is one place you must never miss when you visit the Roman Forums. Try to go there during weekdays and ordinary days to avoid the crowd. Also don't forget to bring anything to protect yourself with from the scorching Roman sun (especially in summer) ... a hat, an umbrella, etc. And bring lots of water to avoid dehydration, or at least to avoid buying it from the kiosks in the vicinity that tend to overcharge tourists. :D
At first glance, there seems to be not so much to see and to admire in the site. Just a pile of ruins, apparently. But knowing the important role that the Vestal virgins played in ancient times can set your imagination on fire and really help you appreciate the ruins laying before you. This was my experience when I first visited this archaeological site. The fact that some of the structures that once composed this ancient place of worship is amazing in itself. It truly brings you back in time, to centuries back even before the Christian era.
The House of the Vestal Virgins is one place you must never miss when you visit the Roman Forums. Try to go there during weekdays and ordinary days to avoid the crowd. Also don't forget to bring anything to protect yourself with from the scorching Roman sun (especially in summer) ... a hat, an umbrella, etc. And bring lots of water to avoid dehydration, or at least to avoid buying it from the kiosks in the vicinity that tend to overcharge tourists. :D
Written April 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daffystjob
Manchester, UK809 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
With many benches placed in front of the statues in the garden area, this is the perfect place take a resting break at the Forum. I only managed to take in a small percentage of this house as I didn't make it to the top but the garden area is amaze-balls!! When sitting in front of the statues, you could almost fool yourself into thinking you are in ancient Rome. Many of them have lost their heads but the detail is wonderful. As I went in February, it was fairly quiet and this area had a sense of calm although other tourists were around.
Written March 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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