The Villa Capo di Bove is located along the Via Appia Antica in Rome, about half a kilometer from the Cecilia Metella Mausoleum. It is the seat of an information center about the Via Appia Antica.
Villa Capo di Bove Rome
Useful information
Address: Via Appia Antica, 222 – Rome. Neighborhood: Appio Pignatelli. Opening hours: From 10 am to 4 pm; Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm. Closed: January 1, December 25. Admission: Free of charge. Handicapped: Wheelchair accessible. Public transportation: Bus 660. (Note that opening times and admission may be subject to change.)
History and description
The Villa Capo di Bove is a park with an area of about 8500 m2. The complex includes a three-story building and a smaller dépendence.
Multiple Roman ruins have been found here in the past, including ancient walls and black and white floor mosaics.
Recent excavations have uncovered a thermal complex built around the mid-2nd century AD. There are traces of later alterations, evidencing that the baths were used at least until the 4th century. Other modifications indicate that the buildings continued to be used even after the Middle Ages, but adapted to the agriculture practiced there at the time.
It is believed that the villa used to belong to Erode Attico and Annia Regilla, who owned a large part of this part of town in the 2nd century. The building materials and techniques used also point in this direction.
In the 19th century, the villa was used for viticulture.
Villa Capo di Bove Now
Both the villa itself and its garden have been completely restored. The former dépendence now serves as a reception and information center for tourists wishing to explore the Via Appia Antica.
The villa was built on top of an ancient Roman water repository. After World War II, looted material from other monuments along the Via Appia Antica was used to restore the structure.