Piazza Navona Underground Ruins Tour with Palazzo Altemps

Piazza Navona Underground Ruins Tour Description

This 3 hour tour includes:

• Private English-Speaking Art Historian Guide

• Skip the Line into the Palazzo Altemps Museum

• Admission for the Stadium of Domitian Underground

Meet Your Guide Outside Palazzo Altemps

Your private tour begins in the heart of Rome just blocks from the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and Mausoleum of Augustus. Throughout its nearly 3,000 year long history Rome has become a web of architecture, art, and culture. Explore the great statues of ancient Rome and an oft overlooked underground stadium with a passionate local guide.

Palazzo Altemps Museum and Courtyard

As you enter the courtyard of Palazzo Altemps, imagine the centuries of glamour when the building functioned as a luxurious palace. Learn about the Palace's history and ties to famous Popes and more.

In the courtyard, enjoy an amazing collection of statues from antiquity. Take in the grandeur of the Athlete at Rest, Statue of Demeter, and impressive original busts of emperors such as the famous and notorious Nero.

Ludovisi Collection

During the 15th century, near what is now Tiburtina train station, there was a massive archaeological discovery of statues, artifacts and more from Ancient Rome. The works found included long forgotten masterpieces of ancient sculpture as well as the remains and possessions of Emperors from the 3rd century AD.

Many of these statues ended up in the hands of the influential Roman family, the Ludovisi. During these centuries, the Italian aristocracy was obsessed with who patronized and collected the best art. From the Borghese family commissioning Caravaggio and Bernini, to the Barberini bees found across Roman buildings, art was the way to show power.

Suicidal Gaul and the Ludovico Sarcophagus

Learn how the Ludovisi became a power player with their newfound collection. Amongst many pieces, your guide will lead you to the two most famous in the museum, the Suicidal Gaul and Ludovico Sarcophagus.

The statue of the Suicidal Gaul is an important representation of the mindset of war to Romans. The statue portrays the story of a Gallic soldier who in light of his family being forced into slavery, killed them all and then himself. It's an allegory that shines on many things, especially how even the Romans knew the strength of their brutality.

In addition to the Suicidal Gaul, see more from Rome's wartime past. Step close up to the Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus. Likely the tomb of a general or even emperor, the burial piece depicts a battle between the Romans and Goths during the tumultuous "Crisis of the Third Century."

After passing through the great statues of antiquity who focus on war and the gods, the second portion of the tour involves the Romans other huge passion, games and racing.

Underground Ruins of the Stadium of Domitian

Below the modern bustling square of Piazza Navona, discover how it looked in the first century AD. Often thought of as Ancient Rome's third stadium behind the Colosseum and Circus Maximus, the Stadium of Domitian held track and field events surrounding by 20,000 cheering spectators.

Domitian opened the stadium in 86 AD after years of both tragedy and triumph in Rome. As games in the Colosseum commenced in 79 AD, fires raged in the Campo Marzio district of the city and the infamous volcano destroyed Pompeii. Beyond the destruction to Roman cities, Domitian also lost his brother, the Emperor Titus in 81 AD. Against the odds, Domitian continued the building tradition of his family and brought another great stadium to the legacy of the Flavian Dynasty.

Your guide will lead you through the stadiums ruins. See the expert architecture and incredible layers of stories built into Piazza Navona.