Below the streets of modern day Rome lies a hidden city. Our tour of underground Rome includes a visit to an ancient prison, pagan temples and roman houses that have been rediscovered in recent times.
In the gloomy dungeons of the Mamertine Prison, the oldest of its kind, for over 25 centuries the enemies of Rome were plunged, tortured and left to die.
During the persecutions of the Christians the two apostles. Peter and Paul spent time here in chains before being martyred. And here they performed a miracle by making water spring from the soil and baptized all the jailers.
Enjoy a journey back in time at the church of St. Clement's as you descend down three levels and through two thousand years of history. The medieval church was built over the remains of a 4th century basilica which was built over older buildings from the time of the emperor Nero, and a sanctuary dedicated to the oriental divinity Mithras.
The medieval basilica houses one of the finest mosaics from the time, representing the Tree of Life: over a golden background a cross as a tree of life spreads its branches to give life and sustenance to men.
Under the 5th century Basilica of St. John and Paul we'll visit ancient Roman houses that were discovered in recent times. Here you'll enjoy an explanation of the frescoes and their mythological scenes that are still visible on the walls of these ancient buildings.