Underground Rome Tour: Basilica of San Clemente and Roman Complex Houses
This tour includes a guided visit of two of the best examples of the stratifications of Rome and the rise in levels that characterize the Urbe. This tour provides a thematic exploration of the hidden, subterranean levels of Rome, including the underground of the Basilica of San Clemente and the Roman Complex Houses. We look at some of the newest, most exciting discoveries, while also piecing together an educational narrative about urban layering, the relationship between the modern city and its history, and the cutting edge of Roman archaeology.
San Clemente is one of the most charming places of the city. It's a complex consisting of three buildings, one over the other: a medieval basilica built on a paleochristian who was in turn built on the buildings of the first century AD. In the basement the testimonies of the Mithraic and Christian religion overlap to seal the clash between the two religions. Thanks to the presence of the frescoes and mosaics in the basilicas of two different eras, San Clemente is also a valuable record of the Italian medieval art. And among the many interesting items, there is one of the first examples of the "vulgar" Italian.
The Roman Complex Houses (also known as Roman houses of Celio) is one of the most important archaeological sites of Rome. There are layered the complex phases of the area: from residential use - with a rich residence and a tenement with shops - to the creation of a place of Christian pilgrimage and finally the beautiful Basilica of SS. Giovanni e Paolo. Entering by the ancient Roman road, you find yourself in a maze of frescoed rooms, whose paintings are an exceptional testimony for the beauty and historical value. A monument that both sheds light on daily life in ancient Rome, both on the delicate phases of the early centuries of Christianity, such as to constitute one of the key places of Christian archeology.
These two sites are located in the same area, at a distance of 10 minutes walk from each other.
Maximum group size: 25 persons.
