Circus Maximus

Between Rome’s Aventine and Palatine hills, Circus Maximus is the grassy outline of the city’s largest ancient stadium. Chariot races and public games once drew enormous crowds here; today, the open park preserves the scale of the arena, with a few ancient remains still visible. Walk the former circuit and look across to the Palatine Hill to picture the races in their setting. It is an easy stop near the Colosseum, especially if you want space for a quiet stroll between archaeological sites.

From chariot track to public park

Circus Maximus occupied the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills. The site was used for chariot racing and public games from ancient times, and it became the largest stadium in Rome. Its long circuit was built to hold vast crowds for races and other spectacles.

The last recorded race took place in 549. After the stadium fell out of use, the land served several purposes over the centuries, including as a market garden, a quarry and a gas works. Much of its stone and marble was taken away and reused in Rome’s buildings and churches.

What remains today

The open field still follows the outline of the ancient stadium, so its scale is easier to grasp from a walk around the grounds than from any single ruin. A small number of original structures remain visible. Look across toward the Palatine Hill, where the remains give the site its archaeological setting.

Circus Maximus is now a public park and also hosts concerts and other public events. An augmented- and virtual-reality experience can help visitors picture the stadium as it once was. The site is close to the Colosseum and Roman Forum, so it fits naturally into a walk among Rome’s ancient landmarks.