Rome had always been a place I was interested in. In three years of ancient Latin classes in secondary school, I learned about the Romans and the many stories that come from the Roman age. In my imagination Rome was still like in the ancient days. You could still visit the ruins and experience what ancient Rome must have been like.
The first time I was in Rome, I was highly disappointed. I had expected to see more of the ancient architecture, but was disappointed with how much was actually standing in the Roman Forum and how little information was given inside the complex. You walk through an archaeological excavation, not through a site with actual buildings. Here and there you still see a building, but mostly you walk among foundations and crumbling blocks of stone.
It is hard to imagine what ancient Rome was really like when you walk in the Roman Forum. The Colosseum makes it a little bit easier, since most of the arena is still standing and open to the public. Perhaps I need to visit the Forum again, but with a knowledgeable guide this time. I thought the stories of what was what and what would happen where were missing. All I saw was a huge pile of ancient bricks.
I’ve visited Rome a lot more now and I’ve found some hidden gems, that made me reconsider my opinions about Rome. A colleague of mine told me about Palazzo Valentini. Here you can visit Le Domus Romane, a real house from ancient Rome. Of course this house is not standing anymore either. In fact, it is hidden underneath the seat of the province of Rome. Here however, they’ve found a clever way to bring the house back to life.
You can only visit the Domus Romane by guided tour, which is available in several languages. Your guide will take you underneath the building, where the Roman ruins were found. You are basically standing as in a basement and then a light- and audioshow is started. Through a glass floor you are staring at more bricks and crumbling stones, but as soon as the show starts, parts start lighting up and a projector highlights certain areas of the room.
With light projection the old Roman house is rebuilt. You can once again see the marvellous mosaic floors that this house used to have. You can see ancient walls and baths. Throughout the story you learn more and more about the Roman life and slowly the pile of rocks underneath you starts making sense. I was so surprised by this experience. I can really recommend it to everyone.
Now you know what a house looked like, you can visit the nearby Capitolini museum. This museum consists of two buildings that are linked by an underground passage. It’s full of Roman art, including ancient Roman art. Here you can find the statues of emperors that used to stand in places like the Roman Forum and other market squares. Here you can learn a little bit about what was important to the people back then and what they would decorate their houses and surroundings with.
Most people go straight to the most well-known places in Rome, like the Colosseum or the Roman Forum. There is so much more to this city though, from which you can learn a whole lot more. So next time you’re in Rome, ignore the fake gladiators in front of the Colosseum and get underground. Visiting something smaller can be so much more spectacular.