il cosiddetto Tempio della Tosse
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Tempio della Tosse (Temple of the Tosse)

4.2
·60 reviews·Tivoli, Italy

A hauntingly beautiful, dilapidated Roman temple-church in Tivoli, offering a glimpse into history's forgotten corners.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Daytime, clear weather

Best light for viewing ruins

CrowdLow
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il cosiddetto Tempio della Tosse

Tempio della Tosse (Temple of the Tosse)

Best Time

Daytime, clear weather

Best light for viewing ruins

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A hauntingly beautiful, dilapidated Roman temple-church in Tivoli, offering a glimpse into history's forgotten corners.

4.2
(60 reviews)

"It's a shame it was abandoned...it's somewhat reminiscent of Cardinal Reginald Pole's chapel."

Vertical photo
TIP

View from Above

See it from Villa d'Este or Sanctuary of Hercules Victor for the best views. :camerawithflash:

Locked Gates

Expect to view from the road; it's not open to the public. ⛔

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Rating

4.2 · 60 reviews

Type

Monument

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Evocative Ruins

Evocative Ruins

Roadside, near Sanctuary of Hercules Victor

A hauntingly beautiful, dilapidated Roman temple-church, offering a glimpse into history's forgotten corners.

Panoramic Vistas

Panoramic Vistas

From Sanctuary of Hercules Victor or Villa d'Este

Admire the Tempio della Tosse from elevated viewpoints for a more complete and less obstructed perspective.

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Access & Condition

The Tempio della Tosse is largely inaccessible and unmaintained, often with locked gates. While visually interesting from afar, don't plan to enter. It's best viewed from surrounding higher points or the road.

Location & Views

This ancient Roman structure, likely a temple later converted to a church, is situated on private land and not well-advertised. Its charm lies in its evocative, abandoned state and its place within the broader historical landscape of Tivoli.

Best Times

When
Daytime, clear weather
Why
Best light for viewing ruins
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Tivoli é um refúgio pertinho de Roma que parece ter parado no tempo!!! Muito fofaaaa! Jardins que parecem pinturas, vilas renascentistas e uma vista indescritível 🥹🌸🌸 #tivoli #vilasrenascentistas #Italy #historia #villadeleste #roma #eurosummer #viagem
@anaviilli
8.6K likes • 79.9K views

View from Above

See it from Villa d'Este or Sanctuary of Hercules Victor for the best views. :camerawithflash:

Locked Gates

Expect to view from the road; it's not open to the public. ⛔

✨Villa D’Este in Tivoli is a must-see during your trip to Rome. ⛲️It’s conveniently located approximately 40/60 minutes from Rome by car and it’s one of the most beautiful examples of Italian-style gardens. 🎟️Tickets cost €15 (+€2 online reservation fee) #rometrip #hiddengems #romedaytrip #villadestetivoli #giardiniitaliani #villadeste #tivoli #regionelazio
@wheretogo_in
7.8K likes • 217.7K views
Lots of people recommended that we check out Tivoli if we were going to be in Rome. We ended up with a substitute tour guide and we didn't understand a single thing she said. It was beautiful though. Then we just had a relaxing day of nothing. We just wandered into random museums and walked in a park. We saw some old and fancy cars, and enjoyed some Baby Corn time. I visited Rome 20 years ago and ...
@whiskstowhiskers
7.7K likes • 25.7K views

Don't Trek Downhill

Avoid walking downhill from town specifically for this site; it's a disappointment. 🚶

Historical Context

It was a Roman temple, later a church. Its name may relate to a Madonna effigy. 📜

Hermoso pueblito medieval Tivoli Italia 🤍 #tivoli #italia #villadestetivoli
@greg_ramizu_21
6.5K likes • 72K views

Tips

from all over the internet

View from Above

See it from Villa d'Este or Sanctuary of Hercules Victor for the best views. :camerawithflash:

Locked Gates

Expect to view from the road; it's not open to the public. ⛔

Don't Trek Downhill

Avoid walking downhill from town specifically for this site; it's a disappointment. 🚶

Historical Context

It was a Roman temple, later a church. Its name may relate to a Madonna effigy. 📜

What Travellers Say

4.2
(60 reviews)

Reviews Summary

The Tempio della Tosse is a historically intriguing but largely inaccessible ruin. Visitors often note its dilapidated state and locked gates, advising against a dedicated trip solely to see it. Its appeal lies in its evocative atmosphere and historical context, best appreciated from surrounding viewpoints.

"Lots of wrong photos and reviews about this round structure (temple?). Can't enter as the gate was locked. It looked unmaintained and left to wither away unfortunately. Worth a stop and quick look from the outside if you are driving past but don't bother walking downhill from town like we did just to see it."

phong le

"Bella Italia.
The area around Tivoli is wonderful all you need to see of Italy is here at this place."

Jonathan Heise

"I'm updating and confirming... Let's start by saying it's not open to the public. That said, it's worth it—if not to peer at it from the street—at least to look for it from above...from Villa d'Este or, even better, from the Sanctuary of Hercules Victor, which is particularly close as the crow flies...but don't even think about reaching it on foot; it's far away and on private land. A Roman temple later converted into a church likely owes its name to an effigy of the Madonna with her mouth open, said to be due to a cough. It's a shame it was abandoned...it's somewhat reminiscent of Cardinal Reginald Pole's chapel, between the Caffarella and the Appian Way. Check out the photos and other reviews I've written about Tivoli and Rome and its wonders, and if I've been helpful, please leave a like."

Roberto Cecchini

What People Like

Evocative ruins
Historical context
Atmospheric setting

What People Dislike

Inaccessible
Dilapidated state
Locked gates

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Tempio della Tosse is located in Tivoli, about 40-60 minutes from Rome by car.TikTok Public transport to Tivoli is available, but reaching the temple itself from the town center might require a taxi or a significant walk, and access is limited. It's often best viewed as part of a larger tour of Tivoli's attractions.

While buses run to Tivoli from Rome, reaching the Tempio della Tosse directly via public transport is challenging. It's situated on private land and not a designated public attraction, making it difficult to access without a car or a specific guided tour that includes it.

Walking directly from Villa d'Este to the Tempio della Tosse is not recommended. While they are in the same general area of Tivoli, the temple is on private land and not easily reachable on foot from the main tourist sites. It's better viewed from elevated points or the road.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

No ticket is required as the Tempio della Tosse is not an officially open attraction. The gates are typically locked, and it is situated on private property. Visitors can only view it from the exterior or from surrounding vantage points.

The Tempio della Tosse does not have official opening hours as it is not a public monument. It is generally inaccessible, and visitors can only see it from the outside at any time of day.

Unfortunately, you cannot go inside the Tempio della Tosse. The structure is dilapidated and on private land, with its gates usually locked. Access is restricted, and it's best appreciated from a distance.

📸 📸 Photography

The best photographic opportunities are from the road leading to the Sanctuary of Hercules Victor, or from higher ground like Villa d'Este or the Sanctuary itself. These vantage points offer a more complete view of the temple's structure and its surroundings.

Yes, the Tempio della Tosse is highly photogenic due to its evocative, abandoned state. Its ruins and historical context make for dramatic and atmospheric photographs, especially when captured from a distance that shows its integration with the landscape.

🎫 🏛️ History & Significance

The original function of the Tempio della Tosse is uncertain. Theories suggest it might have been a Roman temple dedicated to the sun, Venus, or a nymphaeum, possibly commissioned by Emperor Constantine to celebrate work on the Via Tiburtina. It was later converted into a church in the 10th century.

The name 'Tempio della Tosse' (Temple of the Cough) is believed to derive from an effigy of the Madonna with an open mouth, which was said to be due to a cough. This name reflects its later use as a church.

No, the Tempio della Tosse is not well-preserved. It is described as dilapidated and abandoned, with much of its structure in ruins. This state of disrepair contributes to its evocative atmosphere but limits its accessibility and appreciation.

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