Rome’s Cat Sanctuaries

If, like me, you are an animal lover, you may want to stop by one of Rome’s cat sanctuaries.  The cats of Rome (“I gatti di Roma”) are famous. You will see calendars and postcards featuring cats enjoying some of Rome’s many historic spots.  There are two main sanctuaries where Rome’s abandoned or feral kitties are taken care of by volunteers. Both are well worth a visit. 

Torre Argentina cat sanctuary 

The sign for the cat sanctuary at Largo Argentina

 

Go down the stairs at one corner of Largo Argentina to reach the cat sanctuary.

 

A cat sitting quietly in Largo Argentina

 

One of the kitties, enjoying the sun in the Largo Argentina archaeological site

The cat sanctuary at Largo di Torre Argentina is located at an archaeological site containing several of Rome’s oldest temples. This is also where Julius Caesar was stabbed on the Ides of March in 44 B.C.E.  You’ll see the cats down in the archaeological area, which is below street level, and some may be up on the sidewalks surrounding the site.  The cat sanctuary is open daily from Noon to 6:00 p.m., and its entrance is at the southwest corner — Via Florida and Via di Torre Argentina — of the archaeological site. We stopped by a few weeks ago when visiting the Largo Argentina archaeological site, and made a donation.

I gatti della Piramide (the cats of the Pyramid)

The Pyramid of Cestius, as seen from the Protestant Cemetery

 

Cats in the Protestant Cemetery

 

Another feline resident of the Protestant Cemetery

The lovely Protestant Cemetery in Testaccio holds a special place in my heart as it’s where my father is buried, but also because I am a cat person. I’d swear the cats sense this since, more often than not, a cat seems to meet us at the cemetery when we arrive (or they’re just trying to get some treats from us!). 

This cat sanctuary is located just to the side of the ancient Pyramid of Cestius.  It’s a beautiful destination well worth the trip even if you are not a cat lover, but even more special if you are.  You will find cats roaming the cemetery, enjoying the sun. You can visit the sanctuary area where they are fed and housed between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. every day. You will also find some little donation boxes marked “for the cats” if you want to leave a donation during other hours. 

Both cat sanctuaries happily take donations and sell tee shirts and other souvenirs.  And, if you want a very special memento of your time in Rome, make a gift that keeps on giving — both cat sanctuaries allow you to sponsor a kitty!