[Animal sightseeing trip: Cat town] Italy: Rome Torre Argentina Square and cat shelter

Piazza Torre Argentina is an ancient Roman ruins in Italy. Piazza Torre Argentina is a sacred place where there were four temples in the Roman Republic era, and part of the huge Pompeius Theater was also located here. It is a town where many tourists can see historical heritage, and it is also known as a cat spot because there are many cats living there. There is a cat shelter here, and a paradise for cats is spreading.

place

Piazza Torre Argentina is located in Rome, Italy.

Address	Largo di Torre Argentina, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
URL	Home Page

history

Piazza Torre Argentina is an ancient Roman square with four temples. The area was decided in Italy in 1909 for the partial reconstruction of Rome, during which stone figures were discovered. In 1927, large heads and arms of marble statues were found, and archaeological investigations uncovered four temples and the Pompey Theater.

language

Italy’s official language is Italian.

security

Rome is a popular city in the world, and there are many tourists, so there are many pickpockets and pickpockets targeting tourists. Termini Station is notorious for its high number of pickpockets and thefts. There is always a gypsy near the ticket vending machine. There are also many pickpockets in the Vittorio Emanuele area and around the Colosseum.

industry

Rome is the capital of Italy and has many administrative bodies. In addition, there are many ruins from the Roman Empire, and the tourism industry is also very sensitive. Along with this, there are many service industries such as retail stores.

religion

Catholics make up about 80% of the population in Italy. Others are Protestants.

currency

The Euro is used in Italy.

airport

Fiumicino Airport is near Rome.

Name	Leonardo da Vinci International Airport
Address	00054 Fiumicino, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy
URL	Home Page

access

Rome is so accessible that there are multiple ways to get around. Fiumicino Airport is located about 30 km southeast of the center of Rome, so walking is tough.

taxi

There is a platform outside the arrival lobby. You can reach the center of Rome in about an hour. Be sure to take a legitimate taxi from the taxi stand or you may get ripped off.

bus

There is a shuttle service from the airport to the city. Tickets can be purchased from the driver when boarding. After exiting the Terminal 3 Arrivals Lobby, follow the signs for “Bus Station” and proceed to the bus parking to board the bus.

Electric train

You can take the train by following the signs for “Stazione FS/Railway Station” in the airport. Tickets can be purchased from ticket vending machines at stations.

cat shelter

Piazza Torre Argentina is a world-famous historical spot, but there is another attraction here: a cat shelter. First-time visitors often mistake it for a cat cafe. A facility where a local group protects abandoned cats. The official name of this cat shelter is “Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary”. The staff will explain the shelter in Italian and English.

Address	scavi archeologici, Largo di Torre Argentina angolo, Largo Arenula, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Open Time	12:00～16:00
URL	Home Page

The history of cat shelters

Cat shelters are stray and abandoned cat protection centers that anyone can visit. In the 1900s, when the archaeological survey of Piazza Torre Argentina began, cats were already living in this area. Stray cats and abandoned cats are evacuated to protected areas. Since 1929, the cats have been fed by local residents. After that, the number of cats increased, and in 1993, two staff members who had volunteered to rescue stray cats opened a stray cat and abandoned cat center because of the residents who saw this situation seriously. The staff consisted of volunteers from all over the world, and the cats were also spayed and neutered.

Activity content

The main activities of this shelter are castration/sterilization surgery and health management. They are also looking for foster parents. The colony has over 100 stray cats that are being cared for by staff. The shelter does not receive any assistance from the city of Rome or any government agency and is entirely funded by donations.

Recruitment of foster parents

This cat shelter is always looking for foster parents. We receive daily inquiries from all over the world wanting to adopt cats, and our staff is responding to them. Foster parents are required to fill out paperwork, including their name, phone number, occupation and home environment. Those who wish to adopt will have an interview with the staff to discuss whether they have the necessary funds to keep the cat and whether they have obtained the approval of the entire family.

Goods sale

This shelter sells cat goods. We sell cat calendars, cat T-shirts, etc., and all sales are used for the cat’s breeding expenses.

Crisis of demolition

This cat shelter was threatened in 2012 due to illegal occupation of the ruins. The shelter itself was in danger of being demolished. Although it is somehow able to survive, it is in an unpredictable situation.