In Rome, the past is not only remembered—it is built upon. This extraordinary tour invites you to journey down through time, into the very layers of the Eternal City, where ancient homes, hidden shrines, and sacred spaces lie quietly beneath your feet. Centered around the remarkable Basilica of San Clemente, this experience reveals Rome not as a city of ruins, but as a living palimpsest—each era resting gently atop the last!
Begin your journey in the shadow of the Caelian Hill, where modern noise gives way to timeless silence. Step below street level and into the Roman-era houses, preserved in remarkable detail beneath present-day buildings. Here, frescoes still adorn the walls of dining rooms and bedrooms; courtyards echo with the memory of footsteps; and ancient mosaics shimmer faintly in the filtered light.
You’ll explore insulae—multi-story dwellings where everyday Romans once lived, worked, and worshipped. Among the preserved rooms lies a private shrine to Mithras, the mysterious Persian god worshipped in secret by Roman soldiers. The Mithraeum, with its altar and sculpted reliefs, is a haunting reminder of the city’s complex and layered spirituality!
As your guide illuminates these spaces with history and legend, the past no longer feels distant—it becomes startlingly close, vivid, and human.
Just a few steps away stands one of Rome’s most fascinating churches: the Basilica of San Clemente. At first glance, it appears as a typical medieval church, rich with gold mosaics and cosmatesque floors. But San Clemente is more than a place of worship—it is an **architectural time machine.
Descend beneath the 12th-century basilica into the remains of a 4th-century Christian church, where early frescoes and marble columns speak of the first generations of Rome’s Christian faithful. Below that, yet another layer unfolds: a 1st-century Roman house, complete with alleys, walls, and a running spring whose sound still echoes softly in the stillness.
With each descent, you travel deeper into the city’s memory—through empire, persecution, faith, and rebirth.
This tour offers more than a glimpse of ancient structures—it is a profound experience of Rome’s living history, where every level tells a new chapter, and where stones are not simply ruins, but storytellers.
By the end of your journey, you will have walked not just through churches and homes, but through the very foundations of Rome itself—a city that rises not by forgetting the past, but by carrying it, reverently, into the present!
This tour involves walking and standing for extended periods. While most routes are accessible, some areas may include stairs or uneven surfaces. If you have mobility concerns, please let us know at the time of booking, and we will provide guidance on suitability and alternatives.
The exact meeting point for this tour will be confirmed upon booking. Locations may vary depending on tour logistics, but all details, including directions and arrival time, will be provided in your confirmation email.
The duration of this tour may vary slightly based on the itinerary and selected experience. Estimated tour length will be provided at the time of booking, and final details will be communicated in your confirmation.
