Rome.us
  • TAXI FARES CALCULATOR
  • BOOK PRIVATE TOUR
  • ABOUT US
  • TIPS
    • How to Choose a Hotel in Rome
    • Tickets to Vatican museums
    • Rome Three Day Itinerary
    • 2025 Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee
    • Rainy Days in Rome
    • Buying a Sim Card in Italy
    • Renting a Car in Rome
    • Apps for Tourists
    • Souvenirs from Rome
    • Free Things to Do
    • Unusual Things to do
    • Public Transport
    • Shopping
    • Instagram
    • ASK US
    • Pinterest
  • WHERE TO STAY
    • Hotels with Best Views
    • Hotels near Termini
    • Hotels near the Colloseum
    • Hotels near Navona Square
    • 3 Star Hotels
    • 4 Star Hotels
    • 5 Star Hotels
    • Apartments For Rent
    • Best Hostels
  • WHAT TO SEE
    • Colosseum
    • Pantheon
    • Borghese Gallery
    • Roman Forum
    • Trevi Fountain
    • Spanish Steps
    • Castel Sant’Angelo
    • Navona Square
    • Ancient Sites and Ruins
    • Caravaggio’s Paintings
    • Churches
    • Galleries and Museums
    • Parks and Gardens
    • Squares and Fountains
    • Hills
  • VATICAN CITY
    • St Peter’s Basilica
    • Sistine Chapel
    • Vatican Museums
    • Raphael’s Rooms
    • Michelangelo’s Pieta
    • St Peters Dome
    • St Peter’s Square
    • Vatican Gardens
    • Vatican Military
    • Swiss Guard
  • DAY TRIPS
    • To Tivoli
    • To Ostia Antica
    • Beaches near Rome
    • To Alberobello
  • WEATHER: WHAT TO WEAR?
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • HOW TO GET
    • Fiumicino Airport
    • Ciampino Airport
    • Termini Railway Station
    • To Venice
    • To Florence
    • To Ostia Antica
    • To Naples
    • To Milan
    • To Pisa
    • To Siena
  • WHERE TO EAT
    • Famous Roman Dishes
    • Best Pizza Places
    • Best Pasta Places
    • Local Italian Food
    • Best Gelato Places
    • Best Rooftop Bars
  • NEIGHBORHOODS
    • Campo Marzio
    • Jewish Ghetto Quarters
    • Quartiere Coppedè
    • Monti
    • Sant’Eustachio
    • Trastevere
    • Trevi
  • EMPERORS
    • Marcus Aurelius
    • Gaius Julius Caesar
    • Nero
    • Octavian Augustus
    • Caligula
    • Hadrian
    • Vespasian
    • Commodus
    • Trajan
Home / Ancient Roman Sites and Ruins /

Colossus of Constantine

Written by: Artur Jakucewicz

Colossus of Constantine Via del Campidoglio Rome
Recommended tour
Closest bus stops
Capolinea7 min 342 m: 85 87
Cavour/Ricci19 min 932 m: 46
Closest subway stations
Colosseo15 min 751 m: B
Circo Massimo20 min 986 m: B
Address Via del Campidoglio, 1, Roma

The Colossus of Constantine, a marvel of the Roman Empire’s grandeur and ambition, was a monumental statue constructed in the early 4th century A.D. It depicted Emperor Constantine as Jupiter, the king of the Roman gods. Rediscovered in fragments during the Renaissance, this awe-inspiring statue has recently been meticulously reconstructed using advanced technology.

Until the end of 2025, tourists and residents of Rome have the unique opportunity to witness the grandeur of the Colossus of Constantine for free. It is displayed in the tranquil garden of Villa Caffarelli, a part of the Capitoline Museums, showcasing the fusion of ancient art and modern preservation and offering a profound glimpse into Rome’s historical and cultural legacy.

Contents

Toggle
  • Who Was Constantine?
  • Original Construction
  • Rediscovery and Fragments
  • The Reconstruction Project
    • Technological Integration
    • Iconographic References and Artistic Influence
  • Personal Impressions
  • Nearby Attractions

Who Was Constantine?

Emperor Constantine the Great, a transformative figure in Roman history, ruled from 306 to 337 A.D.

Constantine the Great

His impact was profound, as he played a crucial role in the acceptance of Christianity, ending years of persecution and paving the way for the religion’s spread across Europe. Constantine’s influence extended beyond religion. He founded the city of Constantinople, a vital center of the Roman Empire for centuries, and his reign marked the beginning of the Byzantine era. His legacy is indelible, shaping both the Roman Empire and the Christian world.

To delve deeper into his extraordinary life and impact, read more at: rome.us/roman-emperors/constantine-the-great.html.

Original Construction

The Colossus of Constantine, constructed in the early 4th century A.D., was installed in the Basilica of Maxentius in Rome. This grand statue depicted Emperor Constantine as Jupiter. The statue showed Constantine with a partially uncovered body, a cloak over his shoulder, a globe in his left hand, and a scepter in his right. The Colossus was one of several statues commissioned to celebrate Constantine’s reign and his endorsement of Christianity.

Other notable statues of Constantine were erected in various key locations throughout the empire, underscoring his influence and legacy.

Rediscovery and Fragments

The fragments of the Colossus of Constantine were rediscovered in 1486 during an excavation at the Basilica of Maxentius on the Via Sacra in Rome.

Head and part of a hand elements of a colossal statue of Emperor Constantine

Initially misidentified as pieces of a statue of Emperor Commodus, these fragments were correctly attributed to Constantine by the end of the 19th century. Michelangelo played a crucial role in arranging the marble fragments, which included the head, right arm, right hand, right knee, right shin, a calf fragment, and the right and left feet, in the courtyard of the Palazzo dei Conservatori (now part of the Capitoline Museums). An additional right-hand fragment was also discovered and added to the display.

Foot element of the colossal statue of Emperor Constantine

In 1951, a chest fragment was unearthed and later recorded and incorporated into the reconstruction project. Experts meticulously recorded and performed high-resolution 3D modeling of these fragments, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the reconstructed statue.

The Reconstruction Project

The ambitious project to reconstruct the Colossus of Constantine was a testament to the dedication and precision of the Capitoline Superintendency, Fondazione Prada, and Factum Foundation under the scientific supervision of Claudio Parisi Presicce.

Reconstructed Colossus of the emperor Constantine in Rome

The project aimed to restore the statue’s original grandeur by meticulously modeling each fragment and recreating the statue using modern technology. Essential tasks included recording the ten surviving fragments in high resolution using photogrammetry and LiDAR and incorporating an additional fragment from the Parco Archeologico del Colosseo. The fragments were carefully positioned on a digital body created using statues of similar poses as references. This precise digital reconstruction formed the foundation for the physical recreation of the statue.

Technological Integration

Advanced technology played a crucial role in the reconstruction. High-resolution 3D modeling and printing were utilized to recreate the statue accurately. Each fragment was digitally modeled and placed on a reconstructed digital body, referencing coeval statues to ensure historical accuracy.

The materials chosen—resin, polyurethane, marble powder, gold leaf, and plaster—were selected to resemble the original marble and bronze. The internal structure was replicated using aluminum, making it easy to assemble and transport. The reconstructed statue distinguishes the facsimile fragments from the newly created parts, blending ancient artistry with modern technology. This careful integration resulted in a faithful and impressive recreation of the Colossus of Constantine, now available for public viewing.

Iconographic References and Artistic Influence

The reconstruction of the Colossus of Constantine drew heavily on iconographic references and artistic influences to ensure historical accuracy. To recreate the statue’s shape, pose, and drapery, the project team studied several coeval statues. Key references included the colossal statue of Jupiter from the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, likely inspired by the Zeus of Olympia by Phidias, and a large plaster copy of Emperor Claudius.

Read more about the reconstruction of the statue of Constantine at factumfoundation.org

Personal Impressions

The first time I saw elements of the statue of Constantine in the Capitoline Museums over a decade ago, they already made a “colossal” impression on me.

Artur Jakucewicz author of articles on Ancient Rome in the Capitoline Museums with elements of the statue of Constantine the Great

The massive foot and the imposing head, towering above human height, were genuinely grandiose. As a fan of ancient Roman history, I am thrilled to now see the reconstructed statue in its entirety, offering a glimpse into its original majesty.

Visiting the Caffarelli Garden with Kate Zusman, co-author of the Rome.us website, has become a cherished experience.

Artur Jakucewicz and Kate Zusmann next to the restored statue of Constantine the Great in Rome

This secluded spot is known only to true connoisseurs and experts of Rome and now, I hope, to all readers of our site. Seeing the Colossus of Constantine in this serene setting not only brings history to life but also provides a profound connection to Rome’s illustrious past!

Nearby Attractions

Capitoline Museums
3 min 460 ft 140 m
Theater of Marcellus
3 min 460 ft 140 m
Capitoline Square
4 min 590 ft 180 m
Capitoline Hill
4 min 620 ft 190 m
Fountain of the Goddess Roma
4 min 660 ft 200 m
Great Synagogue
5 min 890 ft 270 m
Basilica di Santa Maria in Ara Coeli
6 min 950 ft 290 m
Arch of Janus
6 min 980 ft 300 m
Mamertine Prison
6 min 980 ft 300 m
Roman Forum
6 min 1050 ft 320 m

Author: Artur Jakucewicz

Artur Jakucewicz

I have lived in Rome for over 10 years and am glad to share my experience and knowledge. I love ancient history and architecture — author of travel guides in Italy for independent travelers.

Dive Deeper into Rome's Stories

Fiumicino Airport Terminal 3

21741 views

How to Get from Fiumicino Airport to Rome City Center

Visiting Sistine Chapel

931924 views

Sistine Chapel

The Borghese Gallery and Museum The Ultimate Guide for Visitors

14371 views

The Borghese Gallery and Museum

Vatican Museums Guide

988928 views

The Vatican Museums

Visiting Pantheon in Rome

33615 views

Pantheon

What to See in Rome

24864 views

What to See in Rome – TOP 30 Tourist Attractions & Places

Hotels with best views in Rome

7412 views

Hotels with Best Views in Rome

Hotel Near The Colosseum in Rome

17042 views

Hotels Close to the Colosseum in Rome

27094 views

Best 4 Star Hotels in Rome

Show more

About us

About us ROME.US Authors Kate Zusmann and Artur Jakucewicz
2025.We're Kate and Artur, a duo bound by our shared fascination with the Eternal City – Rome. Our paths, driven by a mutual passion for its timeless stories and architectural marvels, converged in a way we had never imagined.

Explore Rome

  • from Rome to Vienna

    How to Get from Rome to Vienna

  • Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Rome

    Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants in Rome

  • Sant’Eustachio District Rome

    Sant’Eustachio District – Heart of Roman Historic Center

  • Best 5 Star Hotels in Rome

    Best 5 Star Hotels in Rome

  • Crypta Balbi Museum in Rome

    Crypta Balbi Archaeological Museum

Rome.us
  • social logo
  • social logo
  • social logo
  • social logo

This website uses cookies. For more info read the cookies policy

Rome.us © 2025. Created with love by Roman experts and guides.

  • Español
  • Deutsch