Circus Maximus
An ancient Roman circus situated in the valley between the Palatine and Aventine hills, the Circus Maximus served as Rome’s premier venue for horse racing and public spectacles, measuring 600 meters long and 140 meters wide.
At a glance
The Circus Maximus is considered the largest man-made performance structure of antiquity. Located in a natural valley with convenient access to the Tiber’s commercial landing, the site functioned as a space for markets, ritual activities, and public games from Rome’s earliest days.
History
According to legend, the mythical rape of the Sabine women occurred in this valley during games organized by Romulus in honor of the god Consus. The flat terrain and proximity to the Tiber made it ideal for commerce and exchange with other populations.
Over time, the circus evolved into Rome’s primary venue for horse racing and public entertainment, hosting games and competitions that drew citizens and visitors throughout the city’s history.
What you see
The vast open valley between two of Rome’s principal hills defines the site’s distinctive setting. Its enormous dimensions—600 meters by 140 meters—accommodated tens of thousands of spectators and numerous racing events.
A scale model currently housed in the Museum of Roman Civilization provides an accurate reconstruction of the circus as it existed in the fourth century AD. Archaeologist Italo Gismondi devoted over forty years to creating this model, which was initiated in 1933 and first exhibited at the 1937 Mostra Augustea della Romanità celebrating the bicentennial of Augustus’s death.
Cultural significance
The Circus Maximus embodied the Roman commitment to public entertainment and civic gathering. Its continuous use across centuries demonstrates its central role in Roman social and cultural life, from mythological times through the imperial period.
The site represents the intersection of practical urban planning and grand spectacle—a space that served simultaneously as marketplace, sacred ground, and arena for the games that helped define Roman civilization.
Key facts
- Address: Via del Circo Massimo, 00186 Roma
- Coordinates: 41.886133, 12.485134
- Dimensions: 600 meters long, 140 meters wide
- Website: http://www.turismoroma.it/cosa-fare/circo-massimo
- Information: 06 0608
Practical information
The site is open to the public as an archaeological area. For current opening hours, admission fees, and guided tours, consult the official tourism website or contact the number listed above.
Getting there
The Circus Maximus is located in central Rome between the Palatine and Aventine hills. Public transport connects the area; the site is within walking distance of Rome’s historic center. The Museum of Roman Civilization, which houses the Gismondi model, is located at EUR and is accessible by metro and bus.
Sources & resources
- Official tourism information: http://www.turismoroma.it/cosa-fare/circo-massimo
- Museum of Roman Civilization, Rome
- Cultural Heritage Online: https://culturalheritageonline.com
Find it on the map
Historical events at this place (11)
- 2018 Il Rione degli artisti: San Saba e le sue leggende
- 2019 Fasti della Roma imperiale: dal Circo Massimo al Colle Oppio
- 2020 Le Terme di Caracalla e Area Circo Massimo
- 2020 Roma Imperiale al Tramonto: da Circo Massimo al Foro di Traiano
- 2021 Il Roseto Comunale
- 2022 Il lato curvo cel CIRCO MASSIMO
- 2022 Il Circo Massimo
- 2023 Passeggiata alla scoperta del Piccolo Aventino
- 2023 Il Mitreo del Circo Massimo
- 2024 Visita Guidata del Circo Massimo
- 2024 Visita guidata di Campitelli e la mostra FuturBella
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