Article
Latest Rome Attraction Takes Visitors Underground
Published: Wed 11 Sep 2013 at 09:07
Updated: Wed 11 Sep 2013 at 09:08
Many of the people heading off on cheap flights to Rome this year will be taking in the amazing ruins and buildings of the ancient city. Whilst the Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Roman Forum will always be huge draws, there is a new kid on the tourism block.
Archaeologists have recently discovered a new underground city, complete with slave tunnels, just on the city's outskirts.
The network of tunnels has been found beneath the remains of a villa belonging to Hadrian – the famous emperor who gave his name to the wall in Northern England keeping out the Scots. Hadrian’s Villa is located at Tivoli just a few miles from the city.
Opening Soon
It is believed that the roads under the villa would have been passageways used to transport food, livestock and slaves, out of sight of the emperor.
The villa itself is already a popular attraction. Constructed around 2,015 years ago, many Brits flock here to snap pictures of the palaces, gardens, spas and libraries that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It will be a little time before visitors opting for cheap flights to Rome can enjoy this new wonder, however.
Largely due to the age of the structure, there is a lot of damage that needs to be looked after. There is also a lot of debris and fallen rock in many of the tunnels.
However, Italian archaeologists are confident that at least some sections of the tunnels will be open to visitors by the end of the year.
