Monte Testaccio, or Monte dei cocci as it is also called by the Romans, is an artificial hill entirely made of broken amphorae dating back to the times of Ancient Rome. 

It is located near the East bank of the Tiber, in the Southern part of Rome, close to the ancient Horrea Galbae, area of storage for oil, wheat, wine and other products.

View of Monte Testaccio 

The mound is made of thousands of pieces of amphorae used by the Romans to carry olive oil. After being emptied the vessels were thrown away and accumulated to fomr the mound. Mount Testaccio was formed between 140 and 350 AD and is now an archaeological area.  

In Medieval times Carnival celebrations used to be held over the hill. Then, from the 15th Century, it became the terminating place of the Easter ritual of Via Crucis, also due to a resemblance with Mount Calvary.  

Detail of the pieces of amphorae