Street Scenes from Rome IV

While weaving through the ancient, narrow streets of Campo de' Fiori, we stumbled upon a most interesting sight--the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary.

The ruins were excavated in 1929. They cover a good square block and consist of four Roman temples (The Republican Temples) dating back to 400-300 B.C. This is the very ground on which Brutus and company stabbed Julius Caesar in 44 B.C.!

But the Ides of March pose no threat to Rome's cat population. In fact, since the excavation, Torre Argentina has been home to Rome's stray cats. About 250 of them live there now, clean and well cared for, sleeping lazily in the nooks and crannies of ancient walls and crumbled pillars.

My daughter and I are both cat lovers, so we spent plenty of time prowling around the perimeter. You should too if you find yourself in Rome. Ciao!