Underground tunnels at Rome’s Colosseum
Rather like a modern theater’s green room and changing rooms, under the floor of the Colosseum is a secret network of underground chambers. The underground area is known as the “hypogeum” and there were also vaulted passageways where enslaved people, wild animals and gladiator were held prior to their performance.
Meanwhile, above in the Colosseum itself, gladiator fights, theatrical performances, mock naval battles and grisly public executions were held. Thousands of people gathered to watch the often bloodthirsty events. However the last battles and performances were seen there in the 5th century AD.
From the year 80 AD, until the final performance in 523 AD, the public was banned from entering the secret tunnels beneath the Colosseum’s floor. Fast forward to 2010, and the public was allowed to peer down into the underground level, after a small section of the tunnels was opened to the public.
However, a major restoration project, which started in 2018, has peeled all the layers back, allowing the public to explore some of the original tunnels. These crisscross the arena via a new 530 ft (160 m) accessible walkway.
Visitors can explore the various underground chambers and see the shafts through which the animals and humans were hoisted through a trapdoor to the stage and the bloodthirsty audience. This also gives visitors the chance to learn more about the ancient monument in far greater, if somewhat gory, detail.
Underground tunnels open in July
The newly renovated underground area will be available to the public from Saturday, July 26, and will be accessible with the Full Experience Colosseum ticket. This achievement marks the second phase of the continuing restoration project, which was financed by the Italian shoemaking company, Tod’s.
The underground area opens on Saturday, July 26 and can be accessed with the Full Experience Colosseum ticket. It marks the second phase of the ongoing restoration project financed by the Italian shoemaker Tod’s.
The first phase involved a clean-up of the Colosseum’s facade, and the final part will restore the galleries, install a new lighting system and introduce a new visitor center in 2024.
Retractable floor
Meanwhile, the plan to build a retractable floor at the Colosseum is still ongoing as a separate restoration project. The floor will allow the public to walk across Rome’s top visitor attraction for the first time since the late 1800s.
In the 1800s, the original wooden floor was removed by archaeologists as they started to excavate the underground areas of the arena. However, the new floor, crafted from stainless steel and Accoya wood, will be retractable, allowing it to be used in different configurations, while managed remotely.
The main purpose of the retractable floor will be to quickly cover, or uncover, the newly-opened underground areas below, to protect them from the rain or air them out, as required. The retractable floor in the Colosseum is expected to be complete by 2023.
Theater productions and concerts at the Colosseum
However, that is not the only purpose of the retractable floor, as it will be reversible, so it can be removed should plans change in the future. However, having the floor makes it possible to host a number of events in the ancient amphitheater, including music concerts and theater productions. This will be just like the “good old days” in Rome, without the blood and gore of course!
Italy’s Culture Minister, Dario Franceschini said in a statement, “It will be a major technological intervention that will offer visitors the opportunity to, not only see the underground rooms, but also appreciate the beauty of the Colosseum while standing in the centre of the arena.”
In the meanwhile, readers can see more images of the tunnels at the Colosseum on the Artnet website.
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Photo credit: Deposit photos
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