We all know that Rome isn’t just gelato and cacio e pepe – the city is steeped in ancient history, and it’s got a bounty of ruins, sites and of course the Colosseum to prove it. All you need to do is have a walk around.
But actually journeying back to ancient Rome? Well, even that has just been made possible – sort of. On Thursday, Rome authorities inaugurated the Archaeological Park of the Celio and the Museum of the Forma Urbis, which sit right under the shadow of the Colosseum.
The new attractions have been innovatively curated to offer visitors a taste of life in the ancient city, featuring an OG marble map of Rome on display for the first time in a century. The map was engraved between 203 and 211 AD, in the era of Emperor Septimus Severus.
Sure, only around a tenth of the initial 18-by-13-metre map has survived, but planners have placed it horizontally (under glass) so visitors have ‘the feeling to walk in the ancient city of Rome,’ said Rome cultural heritage superintendent Claudio Parisi Presicce to the Independent.
The development is part of a wider project to improve the hilly areas around the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Colosseum, which is home to lots of the city’s ruins.
The park is open every day and entry is free. The museum is closed on Mondays, and has an entry fee of €9 (£7.75, $10).
When in Rome, why not visit one of these incredible attractions, get stuck into one of these things to do, or grab a bite in one of these cracking restaurants?
Did you see that you can now book a luxury train from Paris to Portofino?
Plus: Venice is banning large tourist groups this year.
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