A Souvenir Shop 50 Metres from the Colosseum
You're in Rome, probably at the end of a long day around the Colosseum, and you want to take home something better than the usual anonymous plastic. Imperium Art is a souvenir and Roman history shop at Via Cavour 280, 50 metres from the monument, open every day from 10:00 to 20:00 — here's how to find us. Below: how to judge any souvenir shop in this neighbourhood, and what you'll find in ours.
How to spot a serious souvenir shop near the Colosseum
The blocks around the Colosseum are full of places selling "Roman" souvenirs. Three questions separate a serious shop from the rest.
- Is the material declared? Every piece on our shelves says what it is made of — bronze-effect resin, steel, pewter, stone — on the label, before you ask.
- Is a replica called a replica? Our helmets, blades and statues are declared reproductions, with finish and materials in writing. An honest reproduction ages well on your shelf; anonymous plastic does not.
- Does anyone know the story? Ask why a centurion's crest runs sideways, or what the Chi-Rho meant to Constantine — in a good shop you get an answer, not a shrug.
Open every day, 10:00–20:00 — including the evening
Most visitors come out of the Colosseum in the late afternoon, when much of the day is already gone. Our hours are built around exactly that: 10:00 to 20:00, seven days a week, with no midday break. Finish your visit at 18:30 and you can still browse without hurrying.
You don't have to take our word for the shop itself: visitors rate us 4.9 out of 5 on Google, across 51 reviews.
How to get here
- On foot from the Colosseum: 50 metres — about one minute from the monument to Via Cavour 280.
- By metro: Colosseo stop, line B, then 2 minutes on foot.
- Address: Via Cavour 280, 00184 Roma. Map, phone number and directions are on the visit page.
What's on the shelves, by budget
Everything below is a real piece in the shop, with its material declared on the label.
- Under €50 — the Gladius Chi-Rho of Constantine, a decorative replica with a lacquered scabbard and a linen gift pouch, and the Roman pugio with carved wooden grip, the most faithful of our dagger reproductions. More blades in the Chess, Swords & Collectibles collection.
- Statues and busts (€100–150) — the Julius Caesar bust in hand-finished bronze-effect resin, the Nike of Samothrace (the original is at the Louvre), and Fortuna with her cornucopia — all made in Italy. The full series is in the Emperors & Gods collection.
- Wearable steel — the Roman centurion helmet, a wearable steel replica supplied with its own display stand.
- Collector pieces — the Roman war chariot in hand-finished bronze effect, and the Roma SPQR handmade stone mosaic with 24-karat gold leaf, made in the Vatican, stamped and signed by the artist.
Buy it now, don't carry it around
The classic problem with a good souvenir is the suitcase. Two solutions, both handled at the counter:
- Free pickup in store — decide now, collect it before you leave Rome.
- Worldwide shipping — free within Italy, €20 to EU countries, €50 to the rest of the world. Statues, helmets and blades travel packed from the shop, not in your hand luggage.
Catalogue pieces can be returned within 14 days.
Common questions
What are your opening hours?
We are open every day of the week, Sunday included, from 10:00 to 20:00 with no midday break.
Can I take a sword or a helmet on the plane?
Not in cabin baggage — steel blades and helmets have to travel in checked luggage. The simpler option: we ship from the counter (free in Italy, €20 to the EU, €50 worldwide) and you fly light.
Where exactly is the shop?
Via Cavour 280, 00184 Roma — 50 metres from the Colosseum, 2 minutes on foot from the Colosseo metro stop on line B. Directions are on the visit page.
Can I pay by card?
Yes — card or cash at the counter. If you'd rather decide later, pickup in store is free and catalogue pieces can be returned within 14 days.
Every piece in this guide lives in the boutique at Via Cavour 280, 50 m from the Colosseum — visit us, or order online.