Quiet Moments, A Hidden Gem in Rome
One of my favorite little hidden gems in Rome is The Cimitero Acattolico (or non-Catholic cemetery). It is a work of art in itself and beautifully curated and maintained. Each grave stone is unique: some with elaborately carved statues, some with just small markers and is the resting place to many famous intellectuals from all over the world.
In the Garden, Il Cimitero Acattolico
Oil on Panel
12 x 8″
$500 | Available
Tucked in behind the ancient Roman Aurelian walls, as soon as you step in the noises of the city just fall away and transport you to another time and place.The first person buried here was in 1734 and an Oxford student. At that time this was just a wild field with some cypress and pomegranate trees and not the more curated garden that you see today.
The English Cemetery, Rome
12 x 9″
Oil on Paper, mounted
Some of the most interesting people buried here are the British poets John Keats and Percy Shelley. Keats has by far the most intriguing and highly visited grave, his name is not actually on the headstone, but rather the inscription, ” This grave contains all that was mortal, of a YOUNG ENGLISH POET, who on his death-bed, in the bitterness of his heart, at the malicious power of his enemies, desired these words to be engraven on his tombstone: Here lies one whose name was writ in water”.
This tombstone gifted and written by Keats’ dear friend Josef Severn (painter) and upon Keats’ wishes, did not put his name directly on the tombstone, but this poetic inscription instead.
If you are ever in Rome I hope that you will take the chance to stop off and visit this magical place, you most certainly will not regret it.