Rome has an unusual attraction hidden among its ancient ruins: a colony of cats.
At Largo di Torre Argentina, dozens of cats live among the remains of four ancient Roman temples, several meters below today’s street level. They sleep on ancient stones, wander between columns, and seem completely unimpressed by the thousands of tourists who come to photograph them.
But why are there cats in Rome’s ancient ruins?
The answer is surprisingly modern—and it has little to do with the Romans worshipping cats.
How did the cats get there?
Largo di Torre Argentina was excavated in the early 20th century, revealing the remains of four temples dating largely from the Roman Republic.
The ruins created a perfect shelter for Rome’s stray cats: quiet, protected spaces below the busy streets, with plenty of places to hide and rest.
People soon began feeding them.
Over the years, local volunteers—traditionally known as gattare—started taking care of the animals. They provided food and veterinary care and helped find homes for cats that could be adopted.
Eventually, what began as a colony of stray cats became an organized sanctuary.
Today, the cats are one of the most recognizable features of Largo Argentina.
And that’s where the story gets interesting.
These cats live where Roman history was made
Largo Argentina isn’t simply a picturesque place for cats.
The archaeological site is part of the larger area associated with the Theatre of Pompey, one of the great monumental complexes of Republican Rome.
And the Theatre of Pompey is famous for a much darker reason.
Julius Caesar was assassinated nearby in 44 BC, at the Curia of Pompey, where the Senate was meeting.
So when you look down into the ruins at Largo Argentina, you’re looking at a landscape connected to one of the most dramatic moments in Roman history.
Of course, the cats weren’t there to witness it.
Their story began nearly two thousand years later.
But that strange combination is exactly what makes Rome so fascinating: ancient temples, the rise and fall of emperors, modern traffic—and cats sleeping in the middle of it all.
Why are there so many cats in Rome?
Cats have long been part of Rome’s urban landscape. Their ability to control rodents made them useful around homes, markets, and places where food was stored.
But Rome also developed a strong tradition of caring for its stray cats.
You’ll find them in gardens, courtyards, archaeological sites, and quiet corners throughout the city. Some colonies are looked after by volunteers who feed, sterilize, and care for the animals.
At Largo Argentina, this tradition has created one of Rome’s most unusual encounters with the past.
You can stand among ruins more than 2,000 years old while a cat stretches lazily on the stones beside you.
It’s difficult to imagine a more Roman scene.
Discover the Rome hiding behind the landmarks
Largo Argentina is easy to overlook. It’s not the Colosseum or the Trevi Fountain, and many visitors walk past without realizing what lies below the street.
But that’s precisely the kind of place that makes exploring Rome so rewarding.
A few ancient ruins lead to the Roman Republic. The Roman Republic leads to Julius Caesar. And then, somehow, you find yourself watching a cat sleep on a piece of ancient marble.
Want to discover places like this while you’re actually exploring Rome?
WorldMuseum’s self-guided audio tours reveal the stories behind Rome’s monuments, streets, neighborhoods, and hidden corners—so you can explore at your own pace while understanding what you’re looking at.
And next time you pass Largo Argentina, look down.
You may find a cat living among the ruins of a world that disappeared two thousand years ago.
That’s one of the wonderful things about Rome: the past isn’t gone. It’s still living in the streets.