This Secret Passage In Italy's Iconic Colosseum Will Soon Be Open For The Public To Explore

Considering its ancient history, it's safe to say Rome was built on secrets, many of which have yet to be uncovered (and some more macabre and mysterious than others, like the crypts and catacombs). One of the city's most popular tourist destinations that has been awing visitors for thousands of years is, of course, the Colosseum. And while many are under the impression that each of its layers has been discovered, they might be surprised to find they are wrong. While its towering arches and incredible arena have long inspired those who enter, a newly opened section beneath the amphitheater is offering travelers a whole new way to experience this ancient piece of Rome. 

This hidden gem, known as the Commodus Passage, is a recently restored underground corridor that was once reserved for Rome's emperors and its elite to make a safe passage to watch gladiator matches without having to intermingle with Rome's citizens. Closed off to the public for more than 2,000 years, this ancient passageway now offers visitors the chance to walk the very same path emperors once used to hide themselves away, discreetly entering a private viewing point in the Colosseum. While there is already an underground tour where you can go behind the scenes of the Colosseum, this unique passage will provide more fascinating insight to the site's extensive history.

After a year-long restoration period, the passage will officially open its doors to visitors in late October 2025. The site offers a unique look into Rome's ancient history and the architectural ingenuity that made the Colosseum one of the world's greatest engineering feats. For ancient history lovers and travelers alike, this is a chance to step off the well-trodden path of the Colosseum's busy upper tiers and descend into a space once meant solely for the wealthy. 

Fans of the popular Oscar-winning film "Gladiator" and the historical events that inspired it might be familiar with the name Commodus, Rome's emperor, whose obsession with gladiators was a bit unhealthy. (Kidding, of course; the man was evil). The name was given to this passageway not based on his love for the brutal game (though this was certainly part of it), but because historical documentation suggests there was an attempt on his life along this very corridor. The meticulous restoration of this once-forbidden space has allowed archaeologists to unearth enthralling evidence that reveals how Rome's rulers and nobles once lived.

Like most things left to the passage of time, to picture Commodus' Passage in all its glory requires some imagination. Its stone walls, once covered in marble, were later decorated over with plaster and visitors can still see remnants of prominent myths painted on the walls and ceiling. At the mouth of the entrance are intricate representations of what spectacles might take place in the arena, including exotic animal fights and boar hunts. Outside of restoring the stuccoes inside, engineers carefully reinforced the structure by installing a new walkway and modern lighting that highlights the surviving features without disturbing their authenticity. The restoration also includes interpretive displays and QR codes for the visits, which explain in more detail the historical and architectural significance of each section. Beginning October 27, small guided tours — limited to just a few visitors at a time — will explore the passage, ensuring a quiet, intimate experience that stands in stark contrast to the bustling crowds above ground.