Vicus Caprarius is an underground archaeological site near the Trevi Fountain, with Roman residential remains and cisterns linked to the Aqua Virgo water system. Its entrance is on Vicolo del Puttarello, separate from the fountain; allow an estimated 30–45 minutes to visit.
Check current admission and reservation requirements before setting out, especially at weekends and on public holidays. The small entrance is easy to miss: look for the Città dell’Acqua sign at number 25.
Look for the Città dell’Acqua sign at Vicolo del Puttarello 25 rather than an entrance in the fountain square. The Trevi square is free to view 24 hours a day; the controlled inner area costs €2 for most non-residents in 2026. See the Trevi Fountain ticket guide before choosing admission or extras. For current underground-site details, check the official Vicus Caprarius site.
What is Vicus Caprarius?
The name means "Goat Quarter" — a 1st-century AD neighbourhood where livestock was traded. The excavated site has two main layers: a wealthy domus (Roman house) at street level, and a giant 2nd-century castellum aquae — a distribution cistern of the Aqua Virgo, the same Augustan aqueduct that supplies the Trevi Fountain today. Water visible in the basins demonstrates the site's close connection with the Aqua Virgo system, though the ancient aqueduct has undergone interruptions, repairs and later modifications, so uninterrupted flow through this exact channel should not be claimed.
What can you see inside Vicus Caprarius?
The 4 m-deep aqueduct cistern with flowing spring water. Frescoed walls of an imperial-era insula apartment.
- The 4 m-deep aqueduct cistern with flowing spring water.
- Frescoed walls of an imperial-era insula apartment.
- A small museum with a marble head of Emperor Alexander Severus pulled from the cistern.
- Coin and pottery finds from the Trevi rubble layer.
- A glass floor showing original mosaic flooring intact.
How do you find and book Vicus Caprarius?
Address: Vicolo del Puttarello 25, 00187 Roma. Hours 2026: Tuesday–Sunday 11:00–17:00, last entry 16:30. Closed Mondays, 25 Dec, 1 Jan. Reservation is mandatory on weekends and public holidays, and strongly recommended on weekdays.
- Address: Vicolo del Puttarello 25, 00187 Roma.
- Hours 2026: Tuesday–Sunday 11:00–17:00, last entry 16:30. Closed Mondays, 25 Dec, 1 Jan. Reservation is mandatory on weekends and public holidays, and strongly recommended on weekdays.
- Tickets: €4 full price (reduced and free categories available); since reservation is mandatory at weekends and holidays, pre-booked combo tickets via Tiqets — Vicus Caprarius bundle are one option to compare with direct booking.
- Bundles with a guided Trevi walk: Tiqets Trevi tours and Klook.
Book Vicus Caprarius and the best Trevi tours
Compare combined tickets — the underground site plus a guided walk of the fountain above.
TiqetsTrevi Fountain tours & nearby attractionsCheck PricesVicus CaprariusThe "City of Water" beneath the TreviBook UndergroundKlookFlexible cancellation & bundle dealsCheck PricesCompare all three to find the best price for your dates.These are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What should you know before visiting Vicus Caprarius?
The underground rooms can feel cooler — bring a layer in winter, a relief in July. Photography is allowed without flash.
- The underground rooms can feel cooler — bring a layer in winter, a relief in July.
- Photography is allowed without flash.
- The guided English tour runs at 13:00 on Saturdays — best for context.
- Pair with the Galleria Sciarra and Sant'Ignazio rooftop in a 90-minute mini-circuit.
How can you combine Vicus Caprarius with the Trevi Fountain?
The natural sequence: visit the Trevi early in the day, without assuming an empty piazza, breakfast on Via dei Crociferi, then enter Vicus Caprarius at 11:00 sharp. You'll see the same Aqua Virgo water system from both ends — first as decorative spectacle in Salvi's Baroque façade, then as ancient infrastructure in the cistern beneath the cobbles — part of a water network that has undergone interruptions, repairs and modifications many times since antiquity.
Which area is convenient for staying near Vicus Caprarius?
Hotels in the Trevi quarter put both the fountain and Vicus Caprarius under three minutes from your door — check rates on Trevi-area accommodation search. Look for these features during your visit, while respecting any areas reserved for worship.
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Trevi FountainThe Aqua Virgo: The Aqueduct That Feeds the Trevi
Agrippa's 19 BC aqueduct still supplies the fountain — the 20 km ancient route.
Plan the visit itself
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Vicus Caprarius entrance?
Vicolo del Puttarello 25, two minutes north-east of the Trevi Fountain. The door is small and easy to miss — look for the white 'Città dell'Acqua' sign. The entrance is separate from the fountain, so use the street address rather than looking for a stairway in the piazza.
How much is a ticket?
€4 full price, €2.50 reduced (specified categories such as students and over-65s), €1 for ages 14–17, free under 14. An audio guide is €3.50 extra. Combined Trevi-area tour tickets bundle Vicus Caprarius with the fountain and Aqua Virgo. The entrance is separate from the fountain, so use the street address rather than looking for a stairway in the piazza.
How long does a visit take?
30–45 minutes. Self-guided with multilingual panels; an optional audio guide adds 15 minutes. The entrance is separate from the fountain, so use the street address rather than looking for a stairway in the piazza. Allow an estimated 30–45 minutes and confirm current booking requirements before travelling.
Is Vicus Caprarius accessible?
Partially. The first room is reachable by elevator; the lower cisterns require stairs. Check ahead if mobility is limited. The entrance is separate from the fountain, so use the street address rather than looking for a stairway in the piazza.
Is it worth visiting?
Yes — especially if you like archaeology, hate crowds, or have a rainy hour to fill. It is the most direct way to see the actual aqueduct that built the Trevi. The entrance is separate from the fountain, so use the street address rather than looking for a stairway in the piazza.