Explore Real "Underground" Rome: 5 Ruins You Can't Miss

Le Domus Romane of Palazzo Valentini

Palazzo Valentini is a testament to the power of innovation and technology to transmit history and make cultural heritage more relevant and concrete to visitors. The archeological ruins below 16th century Palazzo Valentini constitute ancient imperial-era domus romane, Roman houses, belonging to important families, meaning they have particularly beautiful mosaics, stucco and flooring. But the ruins truly come alive thanks to a sophisticated multimedia light show, depicting furnishings and decorations to give a better idea of how the Roman nobility lived 2,000 years ago.

Tickets: €13.50 full, €8 reduced

Palazzo Valentini, Piazza Foro Traiano 85, Rome, Italy, +39 06 2276 1280

Discovering the stratification of Rome under #palazzovalentini #domusvalentini #trajanscolumn #Itad #workshop #rome #italy #architecture #china #university #sapienza #vallegiulia #design #studyinrome #studyinitaly #nosdesign

A photo posted by ITAD.it (@itad.it) on Aug 2, 2015 at 10:15am PDT

Basilica di San Clemente

Close to the Colosseum lies a basilica that contains centuries of history beneath its surface. The 12th century Basilica of San Clemente on the current ground level was built at the height of the Middle Ages and is one of the most ornamental churches in Rome, with noteworthy Byzantine mosaics at the apse of the church. However, the real treasure lies underground, as the Basilica contains two more historic levels. On the second level there is a 4th century church with frescoes depicting scenes from the New Testament. Further below still, on the third level, lies a 1st century Roman building that includes a Temple of Mithras, a Persian sun god that was part of a pre-Christian cult religion.

Tickets: €10 full, €5 reduced

Basilica di San Clemente: Via Labicana 95, Rome, Italy, +39 06 774 0021

Mithraeum, sacred temple 3 levels underground, II century AD, Church of San Clemente, #acrosscenturies #romangod #sacred #arcane #romanage #hiddentreasure #spqr #roma #rome #wheninrome #italy @turismoromaweb @beniculturali3.0 @museiincomuneroma @visit_lazio

A photo posted by Ar(t)cana (@art_cana) on Jul 30, 2016 at 1:59pm PDT

Vatican Necropolis

Nearly everyone who comes to Rome pays a visit to St. Peter’s Basilica but few below venture down below to the burial grounds hidden from view. It was Pope Pius XI who discovered the vast necropolis when he commissioned an investigation to locate the resting place of Peter the Apostle. The Basilica is believe to have been built on the burial site of Saint Peter and a tour of the necropolis takes visitors to his suspected grave, now demarcated with a shrine. It is believed that up to 1,000 are buried within the 22 excavated rooms. You can also take a virtual tour of the necropolis online.

Restoration at the Santa Rosa Necropolis with our Northwest Patrons on their first-ever chapter visit! Thanks to the Canadian Chapter to supporting such an incredible project! #vaticanpatrons #art #restoration #Vatican #vaticancity #Rome #history

A photo posted by Patrons of the Arts (@vaticanpatrons) on Apr 27, 2015 at 2:53am PDT

Crypta Balbi

One of four National Museums in Rome, Crypta Balbi is housed in a Renaissance palace built upon the 13th century BC Theater of Balbus. The Theater had a crypt where viewers would gather during intermission time between plays, lending the museum its name, though you can also see remains of an Imperial Roman road and feel transported back in time. The main floor of the museum instead paints a great picture of how the city evolved over the centuries through illustrated maps and artifacts.

Tickets: €7 full, reduced €3.50 (includes admission to the four National Museums)