In Rome‘s cypress-shaded Protestant Cemetery, near the Porta San Paolo, one of the most famous people to be buried is the English poet John Keats. The cemetery, officially called the Non-Catholic Cemetery, is located in the old working-class neighborhood of Testaccio.
Protestant Cemetery Rome
History and description
Keats’ headstone only has the words “Here lies one whose name was writ in water”. This was at the request of the poet himself, who was quite influenced by the negative reviews of his work. His name is not mentioned on the tombstone.
A little further on is the grave of Joseph Severn, Keats’ friend, who was buried here 60 years later.
Other famous English Romantic poets such as Edward John Trelawny and Percy Bysse Shelley (although the latter drowned in the sea near Viareggio), are also buried in the Protestant Cemetery of Rome.
For those interested in the English romantic poets, near the Spanish Steps there is a Memorial House dedicated to Shelley and Keats.
The Swedish author and physician Axel Munthe, plus his wife and two sons, are also buried in the cemetery. Axel Munthe built one of the most famous attractions on the island of Capri, the Villa San Michele.
Useful information
Address: Via Caio Sestio, 6 – Rome. Phone: +39 06 5741900. Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 09:00 till 17:00; Sundays and public holidays from 09:00 till 13:00. Tickets: Free. Public transportation: Metro: Piramide (line B); tram: 3; bus: 23, 30, 60, 75, 83, 95, 175, 280.