Secret Rome

For those  looking for of off-limits experience to add to your Rome resume, from now through September 30, 2010, seventeen of Rome’s most exclusive and ‘no access” archaeological sites are hosting daytime and late afternoon visits.  Usually you need yan archaeologist to get your foot in the door (or through the wall) for a visit to a 1st century BC aqueduct, mithraeic temple and ancient cistern, but if you don’t have your own private Indiana Jones, Roma Segreta is the next best micro-adventure.

Led by Italy’s top archaeology experts, guided tours are conducted on site of amazing sites in Italian language, with  some tours in English. Imagine getting knee deep in mid-morning mithraeum meanderings or afternoons traipsing through an ancient cistern, ending with a sunset concert.  Reservations are required.  For information on site visits, costs and academics, visit Musei in Comune.

UPDATE:  From August 21 to October 23, the Colosseum and Baths of Caracalla will stay open until midnight for evening access while the House of Livia on the Palatine Hill and the Temple of Romolo in the Roman Forum will be open for public access.

Sites include, but not limited to:

Acquedotto Vergine, still functioning 1st century BC aqueduct

Auditorium of Macenaeus, 1st century BC

monumental auditorium/dining hall

Cisterna delle Sette Sale, 2nd century AD cistern that provided water to the Baths of Trajan

Fori Imperiali, walk through the Imperial Forums (across from the Roman Forum)

Insula Romana below Palazzo Specchi, Roman and Medieval buildings

Ludus Magnus, gladiators’ training arena on the grounds of the Colosseum complex

Mitreo dell’Ara Massima di Ercole, next to the Mouth of Truth, a 2nd century mithraeum

Monte Testaccio, since 140 BC, a man-made hill i.e. amphorae waste deposit

Sepolcri Repubblicani, 2nd century (end) BC Republican sepulchres

Theatre of Marcellus, 1st century BC theatre

Trofei di Mario e Porta Magica, two marble “trophies” from a 226 AD fountain, in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II