Colosseum’s Secret VIP Tunnel Opens to Public

Imagine walking through the same secret passages once used by Roman emperors and high-ranking officials! History buffs, get ready, because an ancient VIP tunnel beneath the Colosseum is finally opening its doors to the public this month. This is your chance to step back in time and experience a piece of Roman history like never before.

The Commodus Passage: A Glimpse into Imperial Access

Dubbed the Commodus Passage, this historic walkway is named after Emperor Commodus, who ruled the Roman Empire from 177 to 192 AD. For centuries, this underground path was a discreet route for Roman VIPs to access the arena’s exclusive viewing platform, the ‘pulvinar,’ reserved for the highest officials.

Starting October 27, an excavated section of this remarkable tunnel will be accessible to visitors. You’ll be able to walk the same ‘S’-shaped corridor that emperors and elite members of society once used to enter the heart of the Colosseum’s spectacles.

Uncovering Centuries of History

Archaeologists first uncovered the passageway in the early 1800s, and since then, experts have conducted ongoing examinations and partial restorations. These efforts have revealed stunning ancient surfaces, including marble-clad walls and intricate mythological scenes depicting the myth of Dionysus and Ariadne.

The restorations have also brought to light fascinating depictions of the Colosseum’s past events, such as boar hunts, bear fights with acrobatic performances, and even the mechanics of how animals were brought into the arena. The second phase of restoration, focusing on the section extending beyond the Colosseum’s perimeter, is slated to begin early next year.

An Emperor’s Entrance

Barbara Nazzaro, the architect overseeing the restoration, shared that visitors can now “have a taste of what it was like to be an emperor entering the arena.” With a bit of imagination, enhanced by virtual reconstructions, visitors can truly appreciate the decorative stuccoes, frescoes, and marbles that once adorned these walls.

Historians also speculate that this tunnel might have been the site of assassination attempts against Emperor Commodus himself, adding another layer of intrigue to this ancient pathway.