Complesso di Capo di Bove - Parco Archeologico dell'Appia Antica
Complesso di Capo di Bove - Parco Archeologico dell'Appia Antica
Complesso di Capo di Bove - Parco Archeologico dell'Appia Antica
4.5
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
Capo di Bove overlooks the IV mile of the Via Appia Antica, a short distance from the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella. It is a green area with a main building on three levels and a smaller one inside. When the property was put up for sale in 2002, the MIC decided to purchase it by exercising the right of first refusal, given the archaeological interest of the area. After the purchase, an excavation was carried out in the garden, which brought to light a thermal plant from the mid-2nd century AD with building phases up to the 4th century and traces of agricultural-productive use referable to the late ancient period, when the area was part of the Patrimonium Appiae (a vast agricultural estate owned by the Church). Of the thermal baths there remain decisions of environments, mosaic and colored marble floors, hydraulic tanks, stains of the coverings in marble slabs and painted plaster. The main building houses the Cederna archive and library.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
51 reviews
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DMaeB
Fairbanks, AK89 contributions
July 2014 • Solo
I have seen many famous (and not famous) archeological digs here in Italy. The Capo di Bove is one of the most beautifully presented areas I have visited. It is quite small in area but beyond the dig there is a presentation on the preservation of what has become a wonderful park, the Appia Antica.
It was fascinating to find out about the hard work and foresight that a few key individuals had which allows us to visit this park today.
It was fascinating to find out about the hard work and foresight that a few key individuals had which allows us to visit this park today.
Written 27 July 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.
Josh A
Minneapolis, MN45 contributions
Apr 2013 • Family
We stumbled upon this site just up the rode from the mausoleum of Caecilia Metella. It was fascinating history. On first glance upon entry it seems its just another location with some ruins. But the history is incredible. These ruins, complete with a private bath unlike the public terme di caracalla, was owned by the prominent Herodes Atticus who was a tutor to Marcus Aurelius and his co-emperor Lucius Veras. Atticus also owned many other lands along the Appian Way and even funded a major theater in Athens. Walk past the ruins and you will be taken to a museum depicting the history of the Appian Way and struggle of modern suburban sprawl versus historic preservation. The story is quite fascinating with players on both sides arguing for preservation of these historic sites and this road versus others wanting to protect their lands. The museum is free...but most of the placarding is in Italian but it didn't prevent me from understanding the situation.
Written 21 May 2013
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.
phat_dawg_21
Alpharetta, GA16,947 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
It is a large archeological site on the Appian Way. It contains the thermal baths of a vast property owned in the 2nd century AD by Herodes Atticus and his wife Annia Regilla.
The signage, in English, provides a very good explanation of the way people lived in this little village.
Formerly privately owned, it was acquired by the Italian Government in 2002. The area of the baths was at that time being used for grape growing. The origin of the name given to the site dates back to medieval times, when the area was known as the “Casale di Capo di Bove e di Capo di Vacca” (Hamlet of the Heads of the Ox and Cow), so named after the sculptures on the nearby tomb of Caecilia Metella.
The area was purchased in 1302 by Cardinal Francesco Caetani, nephew of Pope Boniface VIII. In the 17th century the area served as a hospital while in the 19th century it was under the control of the monastery at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.
The excavations revealed thermal baths dating back to the middle of the 2nd century. These baths were used until at least the 4th century and were almost certainly for private use. Greek inscriptions found there remind us of the Greek origins of Herodes Atticus. There are several well-preserved mosaics and the high quality of building materials used suggest a very elegant environment with the usual rooms found in Roman baths, i.e. a caldarium (hot bath), a tepidarium (warm bath) and frigidarium (cold bath). Water was provided by two large cisterns.
The site also includes a former farmhouse converted by the previous occupant of the site into a villa. The building incorporates numerous Roman ruins into the walls, including pipes from the baths that are built into some of the windows.
An internal exhibition contains photographs of the Appian Way in the first half of the 20th Century.
The signage, in English, provides a very good explanation of the way people lived in this little village.
Formerly privately owned, it was acquired by the Italian Government in 2002. The area of the baths was at that time being used for grape growing. The origin of the name given to the site dates back to medieval times, when the area was known as the “Casale di Capo di Bove e di Capo di Vacca” (Hamlet of the Heads of the Ox and Cow), so named after the sculptures on the nearby tomb of Caecilia Metella.
The area was purchased in 1302 by Cardinal Francesco Caetani, nephew of Pope Boniface VIII. In the 17th century the area served as a hospital while in the 19th century it was under the control of the monastery at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls.
The excavations revealed thermal baths dating back to the middle of the 2nd century. These baths were used until at least the 4th century and were almost certainly for private use. Greek inscriptions found there remind us of the Greek origins of Herodes Atticus. There are several well-preserved mosaics and the high quality of building materials used suggest a very elegant environment with the usual rooms found in Roman baths, i.e. a caldarium (hot bath), a tepidarium (warm bath) and frigidarium (cold bath). Water was provided by two large cisterns.
The site also includes a former farmhouse converted by the previous occupant of the site into a villa. The building incorporates numerous Roman ruins into the walls, including pipes from the baths that are built into some of the windows.
An internal exhibition contains photographs of the Appian Way in the first half of the 20th Century.
Written 3 May 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.
preglad
New York3,506 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
Capo di Bave is certainly an ensemble. We surely get great value for the money spent here. Oh wait a sec: it's free! Our introduction upon entrance is to a little Ercolano or postage stamp Single A Chattanooga minor league Pompei. Part A is very neat in any case.
Next comes a lovely garden with a super highlight of excellent contemporary sculptures by a semi renowned artist whose name I copied and lost. Ouch! Yet I loved his work. When not delightfully whimsical, it's touchingly romantic and beautifully balanced in both simplicity and form. Last I heard he's in his upper seventies or expired around that age. Great info, eh?
Make the stop. It's well worth it and let's keep those reviews rolling, folks! I mean this place easily deserves at least a score or a hectogram or a bellyful more of reviews.
Next comes a lovely garden with a super highlight of excellent contemporary sculptures by a semi renowned artist whose name I copied and lost. Ouch! Yet I loved his work. When not delightfully whimsical, it's touchingly romantic and beautifully balanced in both simplicity and form. Last I heard he's in his upper seventies or expired around that age. Great info, eh?
Make the stop. It's well worth it and let's keep those reviews rolling, folks! I mean this place easily deserves at least a score or a hectogram or a bellyful more of reviews.
Written 29 March 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.
Phyllis K
Vancouver, Canada102 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
We walked and walked up the Antica Appia until we came across a little place where we could sit outside and have panini and dream a bit. When we were about to leave, the owner told us we needed to make a stop at No. 22. We had no idea what she meant until we came across it as we ventured further along the road...what a little archeological haven. Besides the ruins, that including well documented explanations of what we were seeing and beautiful gardens, were modern bronze sculptures placed around the gardens that we thought were gorgeous....what a delicious find for us two Roman history buffs!
Written 23 June 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.
SuperTed19
Madison, WI749 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
There is a treasure trove of history to find here. Spend an hour or two exploring the grounds, the baths, and the internal exhibition. It is usually not busy, and it is free of charge.
Written 27 June 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.
David B
El Barco de Avila, Spain660 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Close to the Tomb of Cecilia Metella on the Via Appia Antica you find this free archaeological area. As you enter you will see an area of excavations consisting of a bath house. There is also a medieval building which has been restored to create an exhibition area. This is a good place to visit if you need a rest as you go along the Appian Way.
Written 2 May 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.
Charles F
Nashville, TN166 contributions
Sept 2013 • Couples
I must echo the "hidden gem" review. However, the placards around the thermal complex are also in English. A relatively recent villa had been built on the site of the museum. This was torn down after the property was bought by the Italian government except for at least one outside wall which had incorporated relics found on the property making for an interesting effect. Lastly, photos of the Appian Way in the museum from the early 1900's, before urban sprawl, are fascinating. There is a cafe on site. I cannot remember if a W.C. is available. If you are on the Appian Way, this is a must see.
Written 23 September 2013
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.
claudio d
Viterbo, Italy41,183 contributions
Aug 2023
At the fourth mile of the Appia Antica, about 500 meters after the mausoleum of Cecilia Metella, there is this complex of almost one hectare consisting mostly of a garden on which two buildings stand and an archaeological area which has brought the remains to light d a thermal plant from the 2nd century AD. The small building (which before its purchase by the Archaeological Superintendence of Rome, in the early 21st century, was an annex to the main building) functions as a reception center and hosts the toilets; the largest building was originally the main villa but now serves as a conference room, hosts a photographic exhibition and, occasionally, other exhibitions and educational/cultural events/meetings; on the upper floor there is also the archive of Antonio Cederna, a person who worked so hard to safeguard the Italian cultural heritage and in particular the archaeological heritage of the Appia Antica. During the restoration of the main building, ancient excavated finds were inserted into the external walls which embellish the already pleasant building, but the most interesting part of the site remains the thermal complex recently brought to light, even if, despite the presence of some more significant elements, like the remains of mosaics, it is certainly not up to par with other archaeological sites along the Appia Antica (just mention, in terms of spas, those of the Villa dei Quintili). Paid entry which, in itself, I would not recommend, were it not for the fact that the ticket is a single one (and is valid for three days) allowing access to all the paid sites of the Appia Antica Archaeological Park (the first Sunday of the month opens enter for free anyway).
Written 18 August 2023
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.
Manuela M
2 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
Today with a group of friends we went for a walk on the Appia Antica and visited this little hidden wonder that is Capo di Bove. An enchantment for us to discover the wonders of this place. I would also like to underline the kindness and preparation of the staff. In particular, Mr. Giovanni who entertained us for more than an hour to illustrate in detail the various monuments of the archaeological site, with his preparation but also his love for his work and for these places involved us greatly and children and made us spend an unforgettable afternoon….thanks again….
Manuela.
Manuela.
Written 21 April 2024
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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