Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Rome Tomba di Nerone (Tomb of Nero)

Tomba di Nerone (Tomb of Nero)

Known for centuries as the famous Roman emperor's burial place, this monument is actually something else.

Rome, Italy

Added By
StepYoshi
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  Saverio.G/CC BY-SA 4.0
  Saverio.G/CC BY-SA 4.0
Detail of the tomb   Saverio.G/CC BY-SA 4.0
Detail of the tomb   Saverio.G/CC BY-SA 4.0
  Saverio.G/CC BY-SA 4.0
  Saverio.G/CC BY-SA 4.0
  Saverio.G/CC BY-SA 4.0
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

On the outskirts of Rome, along the ancient Via Cassia, a large sepulchral monument cannot be missed. For centuries, it has been known as the Tomb of Nero. But this is actually the final resting place of proconsul Publius Vibius Marianus, not the famous Roman emperor.

The monument dates back to the late 3rd century, around 200 years after Nero's death in 68. The belief that Nero could come back from the dead was popular after the death of the emperor and was common for centuries. In the 12th century, Pope Paschal II destroyed the mausoleum that held Nero's ashes, fearing that the former emperor could come back from the dead as the Antichrist. 

Soon after, rumors started circulating that Nero's remains had been spared from destruction and moved outside of Rome. People started to come to the tomb of Publius Vibius Marianus thinking that the emperor's ashes had been moved there. The belief was so strong that the area surrounding it was—and still is—called Tomba di Nerone (Tomb of Nero).

Despite the epigraph clearly stating that this is the tomb of Publius Vibius Marianus, many were convinced that the epigraph was wrong. The belief that this was the tomb of Nero was discredited in the 19th century.

Related Tags

Tombs Monuments Empire Roman
Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

StepYoshi

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy

  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

June 13, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomba_di_Nerone
  • https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepolcro_dei_Domizi
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nero_Redivivus_legend
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcophagus_of_Publio_Vibio_Mariano
Tomba di Nerone (Tomb of Nero)
739-749 Via Cassia
Rome, 00189
Italy
41.965486, 12.442534
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Stadio dei Marmi

Rome, Italy

miles away

The "Little London"

Rome, Italy

miles away

Hendrik Christian Andersen House Museum

Rome, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rome

Rome

Italy

Places 149
Stories 25

Nearby Places

Stadio dei Marmi

Rome, Italy

miles away

The "Little London"

Rome, Italy

miles away

Hendrik Christian Andersen House Museum

Rome, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Rome

Rome

Italy

Places 149
Stories 25

Related Places

  • Bonorva, Italy

    Necropolis of Sant'Andrea Priu

    A Nuragic tomb, a Roman tomb, and a Byzantine Church, all hidden inside a rock.

  • Woerden, Netherlands

    Woerden Elagabal Inscription

    This ancient stele gives a testimony to the presence of the Syrian sun god Elagabalus on the Roman Empire's western frontier.

  • The Roman Helmet

    Prestatyn, Wales

    Roman Helmet

    A sculpture of a partly-buried Roman helmet commemorates a North Wales town’s connection with its Roman past.

  • Diokletian Aqueduct

    Split, Croatia

    Dioklecijanov Akvadukt (Diocletian Aqueduct)

    This ancient Roman aqueduct once funneled water to Diocletian's palace.

  • The tomb of Marcus Vergilius Eurysaces, the baker.

    Rome, Italy

    Tomb of Eurysaces the Baker

    A freedman baker’s lavish tomb has a relief showing various stages of Roman bread making.

  • Limestone marker honoring Doudeg Fra

    Walferdange, Luxembourg

    Doudeg Fra

    This cryptic monument honors a mysterious dead woman, despite her identity being lost centuries ago.

  • Balbo Monument

    Chicago, Illinois

    Balbo Monument

    How did a 2,000-year-old Roman column find its way to a Chicago park?

  • Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum

    Nanjing, China

    Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum

    One of the largest, grandest imperial mausoleums was built as the founder of the Ming Dynasty's final resting place.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.