Case Romane del Celio in Rome

"What’s this place all about? Underground beneath the Basilica Santi Giovanni e Paolo, this heritage museum shows how Roman daily life has changed over the years. There are 20 rooms showing ancient Roman homes, shops and shrines. It’s cheap to get into and relatively quiet, even on weekends. A museum's permanent collection is its defining feature: How was this one? This is one of the best preserved examples of ancient Roman domestic architecture. Visitors can explore several interconnected rooms, including reception areas (atria), living quarters (cubicula), kitchens, and courtyards. The houses are decorated with colorful frescoes, intricate mosaics, and marble floors, showcasing the opulence and artistic sophistication of the Roman elite. Exhibits keep us coming back. What can we expect? The houses date back to the second and third centuries AD. They were part of a larger residential complex, possibly belonging to a single aristocratic Roman family. One of the most remarkable features is the underground area known as the hypogeum – a subterranean complex of chambers and passageways. Any guided tours worth trying? They offer guided tours but the exhibits are so well-signed that you’ll glean as much knowledge about life in ancient Rome by just walking around."