Mausoleo di Augusto

Lonely Planet review

What was once one of the most imposing monuments in ancient Rome is now an unkempt mound of earth, overgrown with weeds and covered with litter. Built by Augustus in 28 BC, the mausoleum originally measured 87m in diameter and had two obelisks either side of the entrance. Although designed for Augustus, it was the emperor's favourite nephew and heir Marcellus who was first interred here in 23 BC. Augustus joined him 37 years later in AD 14.

During the Middle Ages the mausoleum served as a fortress and was later used as a vineyard, a private garden and a travertine quarry. Mussolini had it restored in 1936 with an eye to being buried here himself.

When you read this, though, things might have changed. Mayor Walter Veltroni has given the go-ahead to a major renovation project which, if it goes to plan, will recreate the original level of the street (5m below the current level) and close the area to traffic between the Tiber and the mausoleum. The scheduled completion date is 2011.