For 100 years, Romans walked past 4 ancient temples in a sunken square and couldn't enter. The Area Sacra di Largo di Torre Argentina was excavated in 1926-29, fenced off, and left to the cats (literally — a cat sanctuary operates among the ruins since 1993). In 2023, it finally opened to visitors. You now walk among 4 Republican temples (4th-2nd century BC) — the oldest monumental ruins in central Rome — and stand on the spot where Julius Caesar was stabbed 23 times on March 15, 44 BC. The Curia of Pompey (where the Senate met that day) was here. Caesar's blood soaked into THIS ground. Roman ruins →
4 temples (A, B, C, D): Named by letter because scholars still debate which gods they honored. Temple C (3rd century BC) is the oldest — one of the most ancient stone temples found in Rome. Temple A has a medieval church built inside it (Santa Maria delle Grazie). Temple B is circular, the only round temple in the group. The Curia of Pompey: behind Temple B — the large hall where Pompey's Theatre complex included a Senate meeting room. This is where the senators surrounded Caesar. Augustus later sealed the room and erected a monument, declaring it a locus sceleratus (cursed place).
The cat sanctuary (Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary): ~200 cats live among the ruins, cared for by volunteers. The sanctuary operates at the lower level (entrance via the stairs near the bus stops). Free to visit, donations welcome. Adopt a cat: yes, really — the sanctuary has an international adoption program.
Largo di Torre Argentina. €5 (walkway tour, opened 2023). Open daily (check romanoimpero.com for current hours). Duration: 30-45 min. Tram 8 or buses H/40/64. Combine: Area Sacra → Pantheon (5 min walk north) → Piazza Navona (10 min further) → espresso at Sant'Eustachio (between them).