rome blog

If you are familiar with Rome and its means of transportation you know that there are only 2 metro lines, A and B. Often times you get the feeling that you have absolutely no idea what the best way is to get around the city without spending a fortune on cab fare.

The reason why Rome is not expanding its metro system is that Rome’s underground is a true museum for Roman history covered by the developments of the city. Every time the city of Rome digs a hole it is very likely that some ancient historic remains are discovered and Italian law urges to conserve and respect them.

The association „Sotteranei di Roma“ (www.sotterraneidiroma.it) is a research and archaeology center dedicated to evaluation and conservation of the archaeological heritage. This association works closely with public institutions and private centers and also participates in research and restoration projects. Futhermore, it offers courses for the active participation in excavations.

One of the best city tours is to the Necrópolos de Villa Doria Pamphill close to the Algardie Palace. And the special thing about this place is that you can visit one of Rome’s most interesting underground ruins. Nekropolis is from the Greek “negros”, death and “polis”, city and consist of graves that are almost organized like a city. Necrópolis de Villa Doria Pamphill conserved one of the most interesting grave sites of the city.

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Don’t miss the chance to experience the underground world of Rome. Rent apartments in Rome to discover how the city used to look like.

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Translated by: salome antigone
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Rome, the Eternal City, is one of the most fascinating cities in Italy. It is full of glory and grace. It has always been a destination visited by millions of people because of its extreme beauty. Rome is an outdoor museum with many things to see: the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Roman walls, the Pantheon, etc.

But we don’t have to focus only on what we see at first glance, since it has many hidden mysteries. This city has an endless hidden wealth of historical and cultural value. The increasing urbanization of the Roman territory, as well as the promotion of the mining exploitation, has allowed the extraction of many buried ruins.

The door of Villa Albani was hidden for centuries. At first the archaeologists thought it was a catacomb, or something else that was used to communicate with the nearby catacomb of S. Happiness. They also assumed that it was the mysterious mausoleum of Lucilio Peto, a circular tomb built in the time of Augustus. However, the direct exploration revealed that this was a type of mining cave. They found many amphora fragments, pieces of tiles with animal representations, beautiful embroidery, gold buttons and so on.

Another example of great charm is represented by Titolo Equizio (see photo), located under one of the most famous churches of Rome, in the basement of the Basilica of S. Martino. The area of the church was affected by the construction of the Domus Aurea of Emperor Nero, and the structures of the Titus and Trajan Baths, of which some remnants still remain, including seven rooms that are still visible. It is a large rectangular room, divided into three aisles by six pillars, and it is clearly a third-century Roman building. This place was used as a covered market, or as a warehouse. But at the end of the third century it was reused as a place of Christian worship.

If you follow the Via Appia route, at the fifteenth mile, below the church and the S. Maria Estrella convent, you’ll discover the Albanian catacombs, rediscovered in 1720. Here is located a famous catacomb, and a church that holds the relics of San Senatore and S. Perpetua, as well as countless other saints and martyrs. The current entry is on the Via Appia Antica, a staircase that leads directly to the central area of the crypt lit by a large skylight. You can also see many fresco paintings, and if you look carefully, it is possible to see several layers of painted plaster, which means they are ancient paintings, and also that the early Christians used this place as a place of worship without interruption until the ninth century.

In the late nineteenth century, during the work on the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, many Roman remains were released, but unfortunately they were destroyed. Of those which were saved; Templi dell’Area, Sacra di Largo, di Torre Argentina and the remains of the Domus Romana ai Baullari. Undoubtedly, it is worth visiting these places!

Rent apartments in Rome, you’ll be amazed by its beauty. You’ll have a comfortable and cheap stay.