Since the discovery of penicillin, the incidence of tertiary syphilis dramatically has decreased. However, cases of cardiovascular complications of syphilis still are present. Ascending aortic aneurysms are some of the most devastating complications. Nonetheless, syphilitic aortitis (SA) can appear and should be suspected in patients with syphilis and aortic aneurysm. We report a case of a 57-year-old patient with a large ascending aortic aneurysm with cartilage and rib erosion. The purpose of this article is to discuss the particular surgical aspects of this unusual case.