Mamertine Prison, or Tullianum Carcer, is Rome’s oldest prison.
Built in the 7th century BC, it once held notorious enemies of Rome, including kings, conspirators, and Saints Peter and Paul.
Once a dark, cramped prison, it later became a revered site due to its biblical significance. Legends say a spring flowed here, allowing St. Peter to baptize visitors.
Today, visitors explore this historic underground chamber, which offers a unique glimpse into the city’s past.
Here’s everything you need to know before booking your Mamertine Prison tickets.
Top Tickets
#Mamertine Prison Tickets
# Tickets for Colosseum, Roman Forum & MamertineIt’s highly recommended to book your Mamertine Prison tickets in advance. These tickets sell out quickly, so securing your spot early ensures you don’t miss out on this unforgettable experience.
Key Takeaways
The 7 BC-built Mamertine Prison held notable Christian figures like Saints Peter and Paul
Buy your tickets online to avoid long lines and secure your preferred timeslot. Adult tickets are priced at €11, while children (6-17) pay €7, and kids under 6 can enter for free
The tour takes about 30-60 minutes and includes a look at ancient cells, religious relics, and legends tied to the site
Visit the Mamertine Prison, Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill with a discounted combo ticket
It is best to visit the prison early in the day or later in the afternoon when the crowds are less. Avoid the attraction during the weekends.
What’s ahead
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Things to know before booking tickets
You can book Mamertine Prison tickets online or at the venue. However, purchasing at the attraction may involve long wait times, especially during peak hours. Online tickets help you skip the queue, are often cheaper, and allow you to choose a preferred time slot in advance. Booking online also ensures availability and prevents last-minute sell-outs. After the purchase, tickets are emailed to you, and you can enter by showing the e-ticket on your smartphone—no printouts needed.
Do you know the Mamertine Prison lies next to the Gemonian Stairs? The Gemonian Stairs, also known as the stairs of mourning, were once used to execute prisoners, deserters in war, and anyone who questioned the emperor or Rome.
Tickets for Mamertine Prison
This Mamertine Prison ticket lets you explore Rome’s oldest prison and discover its fascinating history with a unique video guide.
The video guide is available in English, Italian, and Spanish.
Kids under six and visitors with 74% disability get in for free.
There is also an audio guide available in English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Cost of tickets
The ticket for Mamertine Prison is priced at €11 for all adults aged 18 years and above.
Children between six and 17 years get a €4 discount and only pay €7 for entry.
Infants aged six years and below can enter for free.
Adult ticket (18+ years): €11
Child ticket (6 to 17 years): €7
Recommended
Mamertine, Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill
This combo ticket helps you explore Mamertine Prison, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill at a discounted price.
Once activated, your ticket is valid for 24 hours.
When at the Mamertine Prison, show your smartphone ticket at the ticket office, and you will receive your tickets for the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill.
Your time to visit the Colosseum will be around 100 minutes right after your time slot for the Prison (which you can select while booking the ticket).
The Colosseum is a 15-minute walk from the Prison, and it is better to arrive at the massive attraction at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
Ticket prices
Adult (18+ years): €30
Child (6 to 17 years): €7
Infant (up to 5 years): Free
Frequently asked questions
Here are some questions tourists frequently ask before purchasing their Mamertine Prison tickets.
Does Mamertine Prison offer free tickets?
Entry is free for children up to six years old and visitors with 74% or more disability. Everyone else must buy a Mamertine prison ticket.
Can I buy tickets at the venue?
Yes, tickets are available at the venue’s ticket office. However, the popular timeslots may sell out due to high demand, so getting them online in advance is better.
Do we need to print online tickets?
Visitors can present their tickets on mobile devices, but printed tickets are also accepted at the Mamertine Prison. You can show the ticket on your mobile at the ticket office at least 10 minutes before your chosen timeslot.
What is the Prison’s late arrival policy?
Entry to the attraction is not guaranteed if you are late to your timeslot.
Does the Mamertine Prison offer discounts for locals?
The attraction offers discounted admission to children aged between six and 17 years.
Does the OMNIA Vatican Card and Roma Pass include access to the attraction?
Yes, the 3-day OMNIA Vatican Card and Roma Pass combo provides entry to all the top sights in the Vatican City. Enjoy a 3-day hop-on hop-off bus tour, which gives you unlimited access and freedom to Rome’s grandeur, free of charge.
What is the Mamertine Prison’s refund policy?
This attraction of Rome has a flexible cancellation policy. You can cancel your ticket until 11:59 pm on the day before your visit for a full refund by selecting a refundable ticket during checkout.
How to reschedule the Prison’s ticket?
The attraction does not allow you to change the date and time of your visit under any circumstances.
What is the Prison’s rain policy?
The attraction is an all-weather experience, so all tickets are final.
Buy the Roma Pass and visit one or two of Rome’s top attractions with access to public transport. Choose either a 48-hour or a 72-hour pass and get direct entry into the city’s famous gems.
Opening hours
The Mamertine Prison is open from 9 am to 5 pm on all days of the week. The last entry is one hour before closing time.
How long does the tour take
Mamertine Prison is a small attraction, and most visitors finish exploring it in around 30 minutes, though the suggested duration is around one hour.
That’s why visitors tend to visit nearby attractions, such as the Roman Forum (1 min walk), Capitolini Museums (3 min walk), Colosseum (10 min walk), Pantheon (15 min walk), etc., together.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Mamertine Prison is when it opens for the day or later in the afternoon, close to closing time.
Weekdays are usually less crowded compared to weekends. If you have the flexibility, we suggest you plan your visit on a weekday for a more serene experience.
What to expect
The Mamertine Prison features two dark underground cells where Rome’s enemies, including Saints Peter and Paul, were held and often executed.
Visitors can explore the upper room, dating back to the 2nd century BC, with plaques naming notable prisoners and martyrs.
Busts of Saints Peter and Paul stand here, and a staircase leads to the lower room, once accessed through a small opening.
In the lower Tullianum, you’ll find an altar depicting St. Peter baptizing fellow prisoners, an upside-down cross symbolizing his crucifixion, and the spring he supposedly created to baptize others.
Don’t miss the column where the Saints were tied.
How to reach
The Mamertine Prison is on the northeastern slope of Capitoline Hill.
Address: Clivo Argentario, 1, 00186 Roma RM, Italy. Get Directions
It overlooks the ruinous and scarred Roman Forum, the heart of ancient Rome.
You can reach the prison by car or public transportation.
By Metro
You can take Metro Line B to the Colosseo station to get to the prison.
The attraction is just 900 meters (half a mile) from the station, and you can walk the distance in 10 minutes.
By Bus
If you prefer a bus, board 51, 85, 87, or 118 to reach Fori Imperiali/Campidoglio. From the bus stop, the prison is just a 3-minute walk.
The Ara Coeli/P.Za Venezia bus stop is also a 6-minute walk from the prison. Board bus 30, 51, 81, 83, 85, 87, 118, 160, 170, 628, C3, or n716.
By Car
If you’re traveling by car, turn on your Google Maps and get started.
There are enough parking garages around the attraction.
