Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Group sizeUp to 12 travelers
Overview
Your tour begins at the Basilica of St Clement, a time-machine, where in one building we can descend over a thousand years. This unique archaeological allows us to explore some of the many underground layers of Rome.
We start on the ‘modern level’ in a beautiful church dating back some 800 years. It is from here that we travel back in time.
Directly beneath the church is an earlier and much larger Christian Basilica of the fourth century.
A few steps down and you find yourselves in an ancient Roman house later converted into a temple. Across a small passage we descend yet further to another public building dating back to the first century. Underneath that……. A surprise!!
Your next site becomes the very first pagan sight to become a church. What makes it unique is that it was built directly on top of the ruins of the Roman Forum and is comprised of two far older buildings. Here you will learn how the many layers of the city of Rome formed thanks to frequent floods.
What's included
entrance tickets
What to expect
Basilica of San Clemente
1h 10m · Admission ticket included
Your tour begins at the Basilica of St Clement, a time-machine, where in one building we can descend over a thousand years. This unique archaeological allows us to explore some of the many underground layers of Rome.
We start on the ‘modern level’ in a beautiful church dating back some 800 years. The apse is decorated with stunning gold mosaic from the 12th century and a cosmatesque floor. It is from here that we travel back in time.
Directly beneath the church is an earlier and much larger Christian Basilica of the fourth century. Here you will see how one church was abandoned and replaced by another. Known for its large collection of medieval frescos, there is even a comic strip with the first example of written Roman dialect.
A few steps down and we find yourselves in an ancient Roman house later converted into a Mithras temple. . Across a small passage we descend yet further to another public building dating back to the first century. Underneath that……. A surprise!!
Basilica dei Santi Cosma e Damiano
1m · Admission ticket included
We will take a short walk past the remains of the gladiator school to the Basilica of St Cosma and Damiano. What makes it unique is that it was built directly on top of the ruins of the Roman Forum and is comprised of two far older buildings. Here you will learn how the many layers of the city of Rome formed thanks to frequent floods.
Named after two doctors martyred in Greece, the Basilica of St Cosma and Damiano was converted into a church in the 6th century, serving as a hospital for the poor and for pilgrims. Inside, you will see how a 4th century temple on the Roman Forum and a 1st century library were converted into a church on two levels. Later, due to the raising of the land level in the forum the lower level was abandoned, preserving the antique bronze door and the only original still in situ on the Roman Forum.
Meeting and pickup
Meeting point
someone will be waiting for you with a blue octopus on the flag stick. :)
End point
someone will be waiting for you with a blue octopus on the flag stick. :)
Additional information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
not recomended for travelers with walking difficulties
not recomended for travelers with claustrophobia
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
