
Stand outside Rome’s Church of Santa Maria dell’Orazione e Morte, and you'll notice a sinister stone plaque depicting a winged skeleton. Draped from his hands is a banner bearing the Latin phrase: Hodie Mihi, Cras Tibi (“My turn today, your turn tomorrow”).
This is what we call a Memento Mori, a reminder of death, recurrent in art and literature since Classical Antiquity.
But what is the history behind Memento Mori? Where did it first originate, and what can it teach us today? Let’s delve into its origins and meanings across different eras.
Memento Mori is a phrase made up of two Latin verbs, meminī, meaning “to remember” or “to bear in mind”, and morī, meaning “to die”. Since memento is what we call the imperative form of the verb, the best literal translation would be as a command: “you must remember to die”. But since this is clunky in English, a more flowing translation might be “be mindful of death” or "remember you must die."
It’s fitting that Memento Mori should be in Latin, which many consider a dead language.
There’s no doubt the Romans were acutely aware of their own, individual mortality. Roman generals (imperators) celebrating triumphs over vanquished foes would parade in a chariot, past the Colosseum and through the Roman Forum, to the adulation of the crowd, their faces painted red in imitation of Jupiter. But behind them would stand a lowly slave, who would whisper in their ear “Remember, you are only mortal”, a reminder to stay humble on this, the proudest day of their lives.
This acceptance of life’s impermanence even made its way into Roman philosophy, especially among the Stoics. Figures like Seneca, the ill-fated tutor of the emperor Nero, and Marcus Aurelius, the “philosopher-emperor” who spent most of his reign at war, would reflect on mortality as a necessary reminder of life’s brevity. By keeping the thought of death close, they believed one could cultivate a life filled with purpose and clarity, a concept deeply rooted in Stoic thought that remains influential even today.
Everyday Romans also showed an acute awareness of their mortality. This is particularly evident in funerary practices, where elaborate tombs and inscriptions often included Memento Mori symbols, such as skulls, hourglasses, and wilting flowers. Burial monuments, from grandiose mausoleums to modest tombs fronted by portraits of the dead who rest there, line the Appian Way outside Rome, as they did every road outside the walls of the city, within which burial was forbidden. Below ground ran the ancient catacombs – vast subterranean warrens where Rome’s early Christians were buried.
But we have evidence to suggest that the Romans viewed their Empire as everlasting. In Virgil’s Aeneid, an epic story about Rome’s foundation and the go-to textbook for anybody learning Latin in antiquity, Jupiter orders the protagonist, Aeneas, to found a city (Rome) from which would emerge an everlasting, never-ending empire (imperium sine fine).
It would not be farfetched to suggest that the Romans saw their culture and imperial influence as something that would not just survive them but might even last forever. Tour Rome today, and judge for yourself how much of ancient Rome endures in the city and its people.
As Europe emerged from the Dark Ages, Memento Mori continued to echo through art, religion, and daily life, taking on even darker and more intricate forms. The Middle Ages saw the rise of the Danse Macabre, or “Dance of Death,” a theme that illustrated death leading people of every class and social status in a final procession.
Context here is key. Plagues and wars had swept through Europe, laying low everybody, regardless of social class, and mortality became a part of everyday reality, shaping how people understood the fragility of life.
In religious art, Memento Mori became a vivid symbol of the Christian belief in humility and the afterlife. Churches displayed paintings and sculptures of skulls and skeletal figures as reminders of sin, repentance, and salvation. In Rome, these symbols were particularly elaborate, with churches like Santa Maria dell’Orazione e Morte turning human remains into haunting artworks. These displays of bones were both spiritual reminders and public art, bridging faith with the starkness of death.
See Santa Maria dell’Orazione e Morte on our Rome Ghost Tour
Today, in a world where advances in healthcare and education are making us acutely aware of how our changes can affect our longevity, and the elites are investing fortunes in finding breakthroughs for everlasting life and immortality, Memento Mori holds particular relevance. The phrase resurfaced in Danny Boyle's recent release 28 Years Later when Dr Kelsen (Ralph Fiennes) prefaces his ghoulish monument of skulls (Bone Temple) to honour the dead and remind the living of their mortality.
As you stand before the plaque at Santa Maria dell’Orazione e Morte, the phrase becomes a personal invitation to reflect on life’s transient beauty. Though the phrase may have ancient roots, its message is as timely as ever: rather than avoiding the thought of mortality, we might embrace it as a call to live fully, cherishing each moment as fleeting and precious.
In a city as old as Rome, where you're constantly in the shadows of empires and echoes of past lives, Memento Mori is a reminder not to fear death but to respect it: to live with an awareness that makes every laugh, every conversation, and experience shared with loved ones even more meaningful. To remember that we must die is, perhaps, the most profound call to truly live.
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Rome may well be the world’s most beautiful city, but after dark a more sinister side emerges. The ghosts of popes, emperors, and artists lurk on every corner, their lives claimed by tragedy and conspiracy across more than 2,000 years of history. Our Rome Ghost Tour is not for the faint hearted — you’ll hear the ghastly tales of beheadings and murder that are sure to keep you up late at night.
Your Rome Ghost Tour starts at Campo de’ Fiori, a central square, where you’ll be treated to the tale of Giordano Bruno, one of Rome’s greatest minds who got on the wrong side of the church. After learning about his grisly end, you’ll begin to explore the city. Venture through medieval backstreets; visit an ancient church adorned with skulls; and step inside the home to a mysterious order of monks. Discover the childhood home of one of Rome’s most infamous executioners; see the site of one of Rome’s most infamous prisons; and pass by a poisonous perfumery where cosmetics killed.
Your tour ends at the imposing Castel Sant’Angelo, where your guide will reveal the horror of Rome’s most disturbing executions. If you’re (un)lucky, you might even encounter a ghost or two.
No matter what, you’ll never see Rome the same way again.
Rome may be the world’s most beautiful city. But after dark a more sinister side emerges. Lurking around every corner are the shades of popes, emperors, and artists: their lives claimed by two-thousand years of tragedy and conspiracy. Our Private Ghost Tour of Rome is not for the faint hearted — you’ll hear the ghastly tales of beheadings and murder that will haunt you forever.
Your Ghost Tour of Rome starts at Campo de’ Fiori, a square, where you’ll be regaled with the tale of Giordano Bruno. Born in the 16th century, Bruno was one of Rome’s greatest minds, but his discoveries led to him angering the Church. After learning about his grisly fate, you’ll begin exploring the city.
Venture through medieval backstreets with your storyteller guide; visit an ancient church adorned with skulls; and step inside the home to a mysterious order of monks. Discover the childhood home of one of Rome’s most infamous executioners; see the site of one of Rome’s most infamous prisons; and pass by a poisonous perfumery where the cosmetics killed.
Your private tour ends at the imposing Castel Sant’Angelo, where your guide will reveal the horror of Rome’s most disturbing executions and leave you with an image that will chill you to your bones.
As the sun goes down, a darker side of the city comes out to play. Join a band of brave(ish) travellers and your ghost-loving local guide as you venture into the haunted heart of London. Together, you’ll wander through cobbled alleys and shadowy squares, uncovering spine-tingling stories of restless monks, ill-fated prisoners, and vengeful phantoms that just won’t quit.
You’ll shiver your way through Charterhouse Square, listen for whispers at Smithfield Market, and creep past the centuries-old walls of St. Bartholomew’s. From the eerie legends of Cock Lane to the ghostly glide across Millennium Bridge, every stop is a step deeper into London’s paranormal past.
We’ll end the night at the notorious Clink Prison, where the condemned left more than just memories behind. Stick together—and maybe don’t look back… because in London you’re never truly alone.
Will we see a ghost? Who knows. But after tonight, you’ll never see London the same way again and it will haunt you in the best way. Book now—if you dare!
Explore the dark underbelly of Whitechapel on this purpose-built, immersive experience. With an expert Ripperologist guide and small-group of inquisitive travellers, you’ll retrace the Ripper’s footsteps, visiting real-life crime scenes to discover the bone-chilling stories of his victims and how their circumstances sealed their fate.
This is not your typical tour.
Our Jack the Ripper Walking Tour immerses you in Britain’s oldest and most infamous unsolved mystery. Discover who the Ripper’s victims were, the lives they led, and the impact their tragic deaths had on their community. Along the way, your guide will share theories about the Ripper’s identity and the suspects that have captivated the world for over a century.
With your detective pack filled with case insights and historical details, you’ll follow in the footsteps of Britain’s most notorious serial killer – not to gawk or glorify his crimes, but to better understand the historical context and the horror of his deeds. This offers a unique opportunity to engage with true crime history, exploring the enduring legacy of these tragic events.
Feeling intrigued? Join us for this immersive historical experience in the heart of London, and discover the humans behind the headlines.
Book your spot today.
Feed your curiosity while pleasing your palate on this indulgent Rome Food Tour! There's a reason this tour is multi-award-winning, and it's because we give you an all-access pass to savouring the Eternal City, stress-free. With everything pre-arranged, you’ll bypass the crowds; no queues, no guesswork—just authentic Roman cuisine. This fun (and filling) food tour gives you and a group of fellow foodies a taste of the city's culinary treasures, from local delicatessens and pizzerias to traditional trattorias and restaurants, you'll try all the authentic spots that the locals keep to themselves. Want a more intimate local experience with no strangers? We now offer an exclusive semi-private Rome food tour for groups of 6 or fewer.
Our Rome food tour takes place in Trastevere, Rome's most traditional medieval neighbourhood. While the area is renowned for its buzzing nightlife and world-class cuisine, just like the rest of Rome, this neighbourhood also has its fair share of tourist traps. Our team of expert foodies invite you, and your tastebuds, to try some of the finest flavours in the city, because holidays are too short to eat bad food, right?
During the experience, we will try at least 10 different tastings (vegetarian options available!) perfectly paired with a selection of local wines or non-alcoholic beverages for sober travellers. Try crispy Roman-style pizza by the slice, savoury suppli, and the best gelato in the city. Experience is more than just simply trying local cuisine, it's a glimpse inside the Roman kitchen—discovering the delicacies, the diet and the cultural dos and don’ts.
Not only will you experience the mouthwatering flavours of Rome, but you’ll also discover the process, meet the makers, and truly understand why Italian cuisine is considered the best in the world. So book your spot on our Rome Food Tour today and get ready for a true taste of the capital!
Please note: the places that we visit and the food that we try depend on the season.
This is a sustainable tour, meaning part of its profits go towards reforestation and other sustainable projects. We also ask all of our guests to bring a reusable water bottle to refill at one of the water fountains along our route to stay hydrated and help us reduce waste.
**Unfortunately, we can’t accommodate a gluten-free or vegan diet, but we hope to be able to in the future. While we can cater to vegetarians, we ask that you let us know about dietary requirements in advance so we can best suit your needs.**
Join us on a journey through Roman history on our immersive Rome by Night Walking Tour. Your expert guide will share the city’s secrets, history, and fascinating tales—from antiquity through to the modern day, and at a pace to suit you.
Our tour starts in Rome’s most picturesque square, Piazza Navona, where the ancient Romans used to watch athletic contests (agones). Today’s piazza sits above the ancient stadium and boasts Gian Lorenzo Bernini‘s stunning Fountain of the Four Rivers as its centrepiece.
A five-minute walk from Piazza Navona takes us to the world-famous Pantheon. Constructed more than two-thousand years ago by the eccentric emperor Hadrian, the Pantheon was consecrated as a monument to all the pagan gods (pan theos, in Greek meaning all the gods). This second-century temple is one of the best-preserved monuments in the Roman Empire and its unreinforced concrete dome still perplexes architects.
Our next stop is the iconic Trevi Fountain. Immortalised by Anita Ekberg wading through its water in Federico Fellini’s iconic film La Dolce Vita, the Trevi Fountain one of the most romantic spots in the Eternal City. Snap your photos of the monument in the moonlight, listen to your guide decipher its symbols, and toss a coin over your shoulder to guarantee your return to Rome.
We emerge from Rome’s winding backstreets onto Piazza Venezia. Stretching from the foot of the Capitoline Hill, against the backdrop of the Altar of the Fatherland, Piazza Venezia is Rome’s most recognisable square, and a repository of history involving figures from Napoleon to Mussolini.
Your guide will lead you down the Via dei Fori Imperiali, the boulevard that cuts through ancient Rome, past Trajan’s Column and alongside the forums of Trajan, Augustus and Nerva. Your guide will feed your curiosity and nourish you with knowledge about ancient Rome and its empire as you make your way towards the most famous monument of all: the Colosseum.
The Colosseum is one of the most awe-inspiring attractions that has survived from antiquity. As a colossal feat of architecture and engineering, its form has been replicated throughout the ages, manifested in stadiums and sports venues around the world. But while its form is familiar to us, the spectacles it accommodated are entirely alien, and remind us of the violent nature of Roman culture.
Group sizes are 15 people maximum.
Book your spot now to avoid missing out!
Ready to time travel? Join our VIP small group Colosseum tour and step straight into Ancient Rome, no time machines (or long lines) required. With skip-the-line access and a savvy local guide, you’ll breeze past the queues and straight into the jaw-dropping world of emperors, gladiators, and ancient stories that will stick with you forever. Travelling with 6 or fewer people? We recommend upgrading to our semi-private tour of Ancient Rome for a more personalised experience, exploring at a more relaxed pace, and a more intimate experience with the people you care about most.
We’ll start our 3-hour adventure at the Colosseum, Rome’s most famous arena. Your guide will reveal the secrets behind this impressive monument and provide answers to your burning questions:
The answers might surprise you, but not more than the exclusive above-the-arena views that offer a new perspective of the Eternal City.
Next, we’ll ascend Palatine Hill, the legendary birthplace of Rome and home to ancient palaces, royal intrigue, and some of the city's best panoramic views. This is where myths met marble, and emperors ruled in style.
Then it’s down into the Roman Forum, once the buzzing hub of Roman public life. We’ll wander through the ruins of ancient temples, triumphal arches, and the political stages that shaped an empire, all brought to life through the expert storytelling of your licensed guide.
With the comfort of a small group, a well-paced itinerary, and the best value for your money, this isn’t just a tour, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience through the rise (and fall) of Ancient Rome.
Best value. Zero stress. Epic stories. Spots fill fast, so grab yours and make your Roman holiday legendary.