Ever wondered why so much of ancient Rome lies beneath the city streets? It’s like peeling back the layers of a delicious lasagne, with each layer representing a different era. Ancient structures whisper beneath medieval remnants, and modern Rome itself sits atop this fascinating archeological cake. Rome’s history is layered, much like its landscape.
Journey into the Underground Realm
Rome’s underground holds many of its most famous treasures, from the legendary Colosseum Underground to the eerie Catacombs. But there’s so much more to discover, like the multi-layered Basilica of San Clemente and the hidden City of Water near the Trevi Fountain. The city beneath the streets is a treasure trove of history waiting to be explored.
Exploring Rome’s Underground: A Guide to Hidden Gems
While modern Rome boasts impressive surface ruins, venturing beneath the surface reveals a hidden world of preserved structures, often shielded by protective earth. This guide will lead you through the best underground Rome tours, unveiling what you’ll see and how to experience these remarkable sites.
Colosseum Underground: Witnessing Ancient Spectacles
For nearly 450 years, the Colosseum hosted gladiatorial combat, wild animal hunts, theatrical performances, and public executions. The scale of these spectacles was breathtaking, with tens of thousands of spectators captivated by the arena’s action. Beneath the arena floor lay a vast underground network, the Colosseum’s hypogeum, from where gladiators, animals, and scenery were brought into the arena.
Unveiling the Colosseum’s Hidden Depths
The Colosseum Underground, with its 525 feet of wooden walkways, animal cages, and intricate pulley systems, is a fascinating glimpse into the arena’s inner workings. It’s remarkably preserved and offers a unique perspective on the Colosseum’s history.
Our Colosseum Underground Tour grants exclusive access to this hidden world. With skip-the-line access and an expert licensed guide, you’ll delve beneath the Colosseum, uncovering its secrets and stories.
Basilica of San Clemente: A Journey Through Time
Spanning over 2,000 years of history, San Clemente Basilica is a testament to Rome’s layered past. The modern basilica, with its beautiful mosaics and artworks, is a remarkable sight. But beneath it lie three more levels, dating back to the first century, showcasing a wealth of archeological wonders.
Exploring the Basilica’s Layered History
Venture beneath the modern basilica and discover the fourth-century basilica, beautifully preserved. Descend further, and you’ll be transported to the streets of imperial Rome, discovering the remains of a first-century insula (apartment building) and an industrial building, separated by a narrow alleyway.
San Clemente’s Mithraeum: A Temple to the Sun God
In the apartment building’s courtyard, you’ll find a temple dedicated to Mithra, the Iranian sun god, recognizable by its sacrificial altar. This isn’t the only Mithraeum (Temple of Mithra) in Rome, but it’s a testament to the city’s diverse religious practices.
Rome’s Catacombs: A Journey Through Ancient Burial Practices
Dating back to the 2nd century BC, Rome’s catacombs are a network of tunnels and chambers used for burial. These intricate underground spaces, excavated from tuff (volcanic rock), offer a glimpse into ancient burial rituals.
Discovering the Catacombs’ Secrets
Carpe Diem’s catacomb tours reveal the secrets of these underground spaces. You’ll explore the hand-hewn tunnels and discover the tomb of Diogenes and the basilica dedicated to Saints Achilleo and Nereo. Along the way, you’ll see crypts decorated with pagan and Christian symbols and the oldest known fresco of the Last Supper.
The City of Water: Rome’s Hidden Water World
Beneath the modern city, just steps away from the Trevi Fountain, lies Rome’s City of Water. This hidden world, located 10 meters below street level, consists of an ancient imperial house and a castellum aquae (water basin) of the Virgin Aqueduct. This ancient water system still feeds the Trevi Fountain today.
Exploring Rome’s Ancient Water System
A visit to the Vicus Caprarius transports you back 2,000 years, showcasing Rome’s evolution from the Great Fire of 64 AD to the sack of the city by Alaric the Goth. Witness the ingenuity of Roman engineers as you learn how they harnessed water to build one of history’s most powerful civilizations.
Carpe Diem: Your Guide to the Eternal City
Carpe Diem tours are the perfect way to experience Rome. With years of experience, trusted reviews on TripAdvisor, and professional, fluent guides, our tours offer skip-the-line access to the Colosseum and Vatican, maximizing your time in the Eternal City. We’ll help you discover Rome’s hidden gems and create unforgettable memories.
