Located in Rome near Piazza Venezia, more precisely in via Quattro Novembre, Palazzo Valentini used to be the base of the province of Rome and is now the seat of the Roman prefecture. One of the most interesting aspects of Palazzo Valentini is the fact that, right underneath the building, you can explore a great piece of ancient Roman history: the Domus Romane.
Let’s find out something more about the Domus Romane of Palazzo Valentini and why you should visit it!
A journey back in time: the History of Palazzo Valentini
As previously mentioned, Palazzo Valentini used to belong to Prince Ruspoli and his family and it later on underwent some renovations in order to become the seat of the Provincial Council. When construction work began on the site in 2005, workers made the shocking discovery that what appears to be an ancient Roman villa, containing a private thermal bath, was right under the palace all along.
Exploring the Ancient Domus Romane
Since 2010, it’s possible to visit the Domus Romane and fully experience the beauty of this ancient structure, containing beautiful chambers decorated with frescoes and mosaics. An aspect that was added to the Domus Romane is a light show that tries to emulate what the house looked like back in ancient Rome. You can also walk on a transparent floor and look at the Domus Romane from above.
The Domus Romane obviously belonged to a wealthy Roman, since they also had a private thermal bath. The visit to the Domus Romane begins right from the complex called Piccole Terme di Traiano, where ancient Romans would bathe after exercising. These thermal baths also had a sauna! Right after the thermal baths, you will be able to experience the beauty of the chambers of the Villa.
At the end of the visit, you can also stop to look at a model of the area that the Villa was in back in ancient Rome.
If you want to fully experience the beauty of this house, we highly suggest you book a private tour with us for the best experience possible.
Conclusion
Visiting the Domus Romane of Palazzo Valentini definitely makes for a great experience if you wish to get lost in the beauty and atmosphere of ancient Rome. If you want to get to know more about the Eternal City and its hidden gems, make sure you check out our other blogs and book a Rome private tour with us!
