Fodor's Expert Review Cimitero Acattolico
Built up against the ancient Aurelian Walls, this famed cemetery was intended for the interment of non-Catholics. Poetic souls seek out the tomb of John Keats, who tragically died in Rome after succumbing to consumption at age 25 in 1821. The headstone is famously inscribed, "Here lies one whose name was writ in water" (the poet requested that no name or dates should appear). Nearby is the place where Shelley's heart was buried, as well as the tombs of Goethe's son, the founder of the Italian Communist Party and vehement anti-Fascist Antonio Gramsci, and America's famed beat poet Gregory Corso.
The cemetery's quiet paths are lined with fruit trees and prowled by shy cats from a nearby animal sanctuary. The tranquil spot is far from morbid and quite easy to find: simply catch the Metro Linea B from Termini station to the Piramide stop, which is just around the corner from the entrance to the cemetery.
