Rome - December 28, 2011 - Tomb of Augustus

Mausoleum of Augustus

Leaving the Piazza del Popolo we headed south along the via del Ripetta with the hopes of catching a glimpse of the Mausoleum of Augustus. Which we did. Not really as impressive as the mausoleum of Hadrian, but still the final resting place of the first emperor of Rome. Eventually the tomb would be ransacked and ashes dumped out. So who knows, might still be there ground into the dirt.

Like it’s later and more inspiring mausoleum of Hadrian the tomb was turned into a fortress in the middle ages. The fortifications were torn down at a later date leaving this sort of stumpy tumulus hidden behind a fence.

In its heyday two granite obelisks flanked the entrance. One is now up behind Santa Maria Maggiore and the other is in front of the Quirinale Palace.