Devil’s Chair — Tomb of Elio Callistio
The Devil’s Chair (Sedia del Diavolo) is a large Roman funerary monument dating from the 2nd century AD, located in the Montesacro district of Rome along the ancient Via Nomentana. The structure, identified as the tomb of a freedman named Aelius Callistus, takes its vivid popular name from the massive brick-faced concrete bulk that local tradition likened to a giant seat. It stands as one of the best-preserved examples of a mid-Imperial suburban funerary monument in the northeastern quadrant of Rome.
At a glance
- Type
- Roman funerary monument (tomb)
- Period
- 2nd century AD (Hadrianic–Antonine era)
- Style
- Roman imperial funerary architecture; brick-faced concrete (opus latericium)
- Location
- Via Nomentana, Montesacro district, Rome · 41.9295° N, 12.5228° E
Overview
The Devil’s Chair is a prominent ancient Roman tomb standing alongside the Via Nomentana, one of the consular roads that radiated north-east from Rome. Its unusual popular name — Sedia del Diavolo in Italian — reflects the medieval imagination that transformed this imposing masonry ruin into something supernatural. The monument belongs to a well-documented Roman custom of erecting elaborate tombs along major road corridors outside the city walls.
History
An inscription recovered from the site identifies the tomb’s occupant as Aelius Callistus, a freedman likely connected to the imperial household during the 2nd century AD. Like many suburban tombs of the period, the structure was built in a highly visible position along a busy consular road to assert the social status of its patron. Over the medieval and early modern periods the building fell into ruin, stripped of its marble revetment, and acquired its folkloric nickname. By the 19th century it had become a recognised antiquarian landmark in the northern suburbs of Rome.
What you see
The monument consists of a large cubic mass of brick-faced concrete on a stepped base, with the upper portion retaining traces of the original brick courses. The overall profile — squat at the base, receding toward the top — gave rise to the visual impression of a chair or seat. Decorative elements such as marble cladding and any figural sculpture have long since disappeared, leaving the raw concrete and brick structure as a testament to Roman engineering. The surrounding area preserves traces of other ancient funerary monuments along the same road corridor.
Cultural significance
The Devil’s Chair is a rare surviving example of a mid-Imperial roadside tomb in the suburban Roman landscape and contributes to understanding how wealthy freedmen and their families commemorated themselves in the 2nd century AD. Its popular name illustrates how Roman ruins were reinterpreted through medieval Christian symbolism, with imposing pagan structures often associated with demonic or supernatural forces.
Practical information
The monument is visible from the public road along Via Nomentana in the Montesacro neighbourhood of Rome. Exterior viewing is free. Check official website or local heritage listings for any organised visits or guided tours.
Getting there
From central Rome, take the Via Nomentana north-east toward Montesacro. By public transport, tram line 3 and several bus routes serve the Via Nomentana corridor. The site is approximately 5 km from Termini station.