Mamertine Prison in Rome: How to visit the Carcer Tullianum (Tickets, Opening Hours, How to Get There)

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Planning a visit to the Mamertine Prison in Rome? Excellent choice! Also known as the Carcer Tullianum, this ancient prison is one of the city’s most overlooked yet fascinating monuments.

Tucked at the foot of Capitoline Hill, right next to the Roman Forum, the Mamertine Prison once held some of the most famous captives of antiquity: Vercingetorix, the Gallic leader defeated by Julius Caesar, Jugurtha, king of Numidia, and according to Christian tradition the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul before their martyrdom.

In this complete guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to plan your Mamertine Prison tour like a pro:

• the cost of Mamertine Prison tickets and combo passes with the Colosseum,
• the opening hours and how much time to allow for your visit,
• the Mamertine Prison location and how to get there easily,
• practical travel tips and the best attractions nearby.

👉 Follow this guide and see why the Mamertine Prison in Rome deserves a spot on your itinerary.

What to See During a Visit to the Mamertine Prison in Rome

A visit to the Mamertine Prison in Rome is like stepping straight into ancient history. You won’t find vast monumental halls like in the Colosseum, but instead an intimate, almost haunting atmosphere that’s both oppressive and fascinating. Every corner of this site breathes the weight of the past.

The Two Levels: Carcer and Tullianum

Your Mamertine Prison tour begins as you descend into a small vaulted room: this is the Carcer, the upper level. Think of it as a waiting room where prisoners awaited their fate. You can still see the oculus in the floor, a circular opening through which prisoners were lowered into the chamber below.

And that chamber is the Tullianum, the most impressive part of the visit. It’s a dark, damp, circular room built from large blocks of tufa stone. The oppressive feeling is immediate: no windows, barely any light, and only one way in, through the hole in the ceiling.

In this space, you’ll find:

• the well or spring, tied to the legend of Saint Peter’s baptism,
• the iron rings where prisoners were chained,
• a small altar with an inverted cross, recalling the martyrdom of the apostle Peter.

The Church of San Giuseppe dei Falegnami

What’s striking is that the prison lies directly beneath a church. As you step outside, look up and admire San Giuseppe dei Falegnami, built in the 16th century on top of the ancient site. The contrast between the rough Roman stones of the prison and the Renaissance church above is simply breathtaking.

Historical Plaques and Memorials

Another memorable feature of the Mamertine Prison are the plaques and inscriptions. They list famous prisoners, commemorate Christian martyrs, and highlight the historical importance of this unique place.

👉 A Mamertine Prison tour may be brief, but it’s intense. It offers an authentic glimpse into Rome’s ancient past, in a quiet, almost intimate setting, far from the crowds of the Colosseum.

Mamertine Prison Tickets and Prices

Good news: the Mamertine Prison in Rome is one of the city’s most affordable attractions, both in terms of price and time. Still, it’s worth planning ahead when buying your ticket to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Mamertine Prison Ticket Cost

• The Mamertine Prison ticket price is €10 per adult (see booking options here >>).
• Children (ages 6–17): €7
• Children under 7: Free entry

Every ticket includes a digital audio guide (via an app) that explains the site’s history and shares stories about the famous prisoners who were held here. It’s a real bonus, what could be a short visit becomes much more meaningful with these insights.

Where to Buy Mamertine Prison Tickets

You have two options for purchasing your tickets:

• On-site at the ticket office – but be careful, the number of tickets is limited and you may face waiting times.
• Online (recommended) – booking in advance guarantees your time slot, avoids the risk of sold-out tickets, and makes it easier to compare offers (check availability here).

Single Ticket or Combo Ticket?

You can buy a single ticket for the Mamertine Prison, but the best value is usually a combo ticket that also includes entry to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.

• The full combo ticket costs €34 (check availability here) and is a great deal if you were already planning to visit these must-see monuments.
• There is also a smaller combo ticket for Mamertine Prison + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill for €29 (check last price here).
• Finally, you can choose a Colosseum & Mamertine Prison Small Group Guided Tour. For €51, an expert guide will lead you on a 2.5-hour journey to the exterior of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Mamertine Prison, with fascinating explanations and stories (check availability here).

Some websites advertise this as a skip-the-line ticket for the Colosseum and Mamertine Prison. Just to be clear: you do get a reserved entry time that saves you from the long general lines, but you’ll still need to pass through the mandatory security checks (as everywhere in Rome).

👉 In short, if you want to visit the Mamertine Prison in Rome without stress, book your tickets online in advance. And if possible, choose a combo ticket with the Colosseum and Roman Forum. It will save you both time and money.

What is the Mamertine Prison (Carcer Tullianum History)?

If you wander through the historic center of Rome, at the foot of Capitoline Hill and just steps from the Roman Forum, you’ll come across a small, discreet site loaded with history: the Mamertine Prison. Also known as the Prison of the Mamertines, Carcer Tullianum, or Carcere Mamertino, it is considered the oldest prison in Rome.

Built originally in the 7th or 6th century BC, during the reign of King Ancus Marcius (according to tradition), the Mamertine Prison served as the state prison of ancient Rome. Forget the idea of large cells where inmates served out their sentences, this was no place for rehabilitation. Here, Rome’s enemies were held briefly before their execution. It was a final stop, not a correctional facility.

The prison consists of two stacked levels:

• the Carcer, the upper cell, used as the first holding area,
• the Tullianum, a dark, circular lower chamber, accessible only through a hole in the floor (oculus).

This is where Rome’s most important prisoners met their end. Some died of starvation, others were strangled, and the “lucky” ones were executed publicly, often hurled from the nearby Tarpeian Rock.

​Who was held Prisoner in the Mamertine Prison

Looking for some interesting facts about Mamertine Prison​ ? Some of the greatest names in history passed through its walls. The most famous? Vercingetorix, the Gallic chieftain defeated by Julius Caesar, who was strangled in the Mamertine Prison in 46 BC after Caesar’s triumph.

But he was not the only one:

• Jugurtha, king of Numidia, starved to death here in 104 BC.
• The followers of Catiline, accused of conspiring against the Republic, were executed within its chambers. Proof of the implacable justice of Rome against its internal and external enemies.
• Later, Simon Bar Giora, a Jewish leader during the revolt against Rome, also met the same fate.

The Christian Tradition of Saint Peter and Saint Paul

Beyond these historical figures, the prison also became a site of deep Christian memory. According to tradition, both Saint Peter and Saint Paul were held here. One story even claims that a miraculous spring burst forth, allowing Peter to baptize his jailers, Processus and Martinian. Today, a small altar and inscriptions inside the Mamertine Prison recall this legend.

Historians still debate the accuracy of this episode, but for countless pilgrims the site remains a place of profound emotion.

👉 In short, the Mamertine Prison in Rome is both a major archaeological site and an important spiritual landmark. Modest in size, but immense in historical weight.

Mamertine Prison Opening Hours in Rome (and Best Time to Visit)

You can visit the Mamertine Prison in Rome every day of the week:

• Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Last entry: usually 30 minutes before closing (around 4:30 PM)

Tip – Always double-check the Mamertine Prison opening hours when booking your ticket. Museums and archaeological sites in Rome often adjust their schedules depending on the season (winter/summer), religious holidays, or special events.

Best Time to Visit Mamertine Prison

If you want to avoid large tour groups and really enjoy the almost mystical atmosphere of this underground site, the best moments are:

• Early morning, right at opening time, when the site is still quiet
• Weekdays rather than weekends, when the crowds are smaller

How Long Does It Take to Visit Mamertine Prison?

The Mamertine Prison tour is fairly short: about 30 to 45 minutes is enough to explore both levels, listen to the audio guide, and take some photos.

If you combine it with the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill, plan at least half a day, ideally a full day, if you want to explore everything without rushing.

👉 In short: plan your Mamertine Prison visit in the morning for a peaceful experience, then continue with the major highlights of ancient Rome. It’s the perfect combo!

Where is the Mamertine Prison in Rome?

The Mamertine Prison (also called the Carcer Tullianum or Carcere Mamertino) is located in the very heart of Rome’s historic center, right next to the Roman Forum and at the foot of Capitoline Hill.

• Address: Clivo Argentario, 1, 00186 Rome, Italy

Its location couldn’t be more convenient because you’re literally surrounded by ancient landmarks, which makes it very easy to combine your visit with the Colosseum, the Forum, or Piazza Venezia.

How to Get to the Mamertine Prison

Because it’s right in the city center, the Mamertine Prison in Rome is very easy to reach.

Here are the main options:

• By Metro: Take Line B to Colosseo station, then walk about 10 minutes.
• By Bus: Lines 40, 60, 64, 75, 81, 85, 87, 175, 673, or 810 stop at Piazza Venezia. From there, it’s only a short walk. You can also use the Rome hop-on hop-off bus.
• By Tram: Line 8 stops at Piazza Venezia.
• On Foot: If you’re already in Rome's historic center (Piazza Venezia, Capitoline Hill, Campo de’ Fiori…), you can reach the prison in just a few minutes.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Accessibility: The Mamertine Prison is not wheelchair-accessible and can be difficult for visitors with reduced mobility (narrow stairs, underground chambers).
• Photos: You’re allowed to take Mamertine Prison photos freely (except with professional equipment like tripods or flash). A shot of the entrance or the famous oculus looking down into the Tullianum always makes for a striking souvenir.
• By Car: Driving in Rome’s historic center is a bad idea. The area is a ZTL (limited traffic zone), so it’s best to rely on Rome public transportation (consider the Roma Pass to save money) or simply walk.

Tip – Bring a map (Google Maps works perfectly) because the small streets around the Forum and Capitoline Hill can be confusing. The entrance is quite discreet, located just under the church of San Giuseppe dei Falegnami.

What to See and Do Near the Mamertine Prison

The Mamertine Prison is small and doesn’t take long to visit. The advantage? You’re right in the heart of ancient Rome, surrounded by some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Here are 7 places I recommend visiting near the Carcere Mamertino:

• Roman Forum – Just steps away, this was the political, religious, and economic heart of the ancient Roman empire. You’ll walk among temples, triumphal arches, and impressive columns. A true journey back 2,000 years.
• The Colosseum – Only a few minutes’ walk, Rome’s superstar awaits. Built in 80 AD, it could hold up to 50,000 spectators for gladiatorial games. My tip: book a combo ticket for the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Mamertine Prison (see here), it’s more budget-friendly.
• Palatine Hill – Right behind the Forum, this hill was once the residential neighborhood of Roman emperors. As a bonus, it offers stunning views over the Colosseum and the ancient ruins.
• Capitoline Hill and the Capitoline Museums – Climb up Capitoline Hill to admire the famous statue of the She-Wolf and stroll around the square designed by Michelangelo. Inside the museums, you’ll find one of the most impressive collections of ancient art and sculptures in Rome.
• Piazza Venezia and the Vittoriano – This lively square is dominated by the imposing Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, nicknamed the “typewriter.” You can take the panoramic elevator to the terrace for spectacular city views.
• Trajan’s Forum and Column – Standing 30 meters tall, Trajan’s Column tells the story of the emperor’s Dacian Wars in detailed reliefs. It’s a unique masterpiece and one of the most famous examples of Roman propaganda.
• Circus Maximus – About a 10–15 minute walk from the Mamertine Prison, this enormous stadium once hosted thrilling chariot races. Today it’s a vast park where you can stroll, picnic, and imagine the roaring crowds of ancient times.

👉 In short, when you visit the Mamertine Prison in Rome, you’re in a neighborhood where every stone has a story to tell. You can easily spend an entire day exploring between ancient monuments and world-class museums.

FAQ about the Mamertine Prison in Rome

Who was strangled in the Mamertine Prison in 46 BC?

In 46 BC, Vercingetorix, the Gallic chieftain defeated by Julius Caesar, was strangled in the Mamertine Prison after being paraded in Caesar’s triumph.

Who built the Mamertine Prison?

The Mamertine Prison was built by Ancus Marcius, the fourth king of Rome, in the 7th century BC.

Who was imprisoned in the Mamertine Prison?

Famous prisoners include Vercingetorix, Jugurtha, and, according to Christian tradition, the apostles Peter and Paul.

What year was the Mamertine Prison built?

The Mamertine Prison dates back to the 7th century BC, making it one of the oldest detention sites in Rome.

Can you visit the Mamertine Prison today?

Yes. The Mamertine Prison in Rome is open to visitors with an entry ticket, often available as a combo with the Colosseum and Roman Forum.