Beneath the Colosseum: Rome’s Commodus Passage opens after two millennia.

  ROME – For the first time in nearly 2,000 years, a secret passage beneath the Colosseum has opened to the public, offering a glimpse into the inner world of Rome’s most infamous emperors. Known as the Commodus Passage, this underground corridor once used by Roman emperors quietly opened its doors to the public on Oct. 8, following a year-long restoration effort dedicated to uncovering part of the vast network of undiscovered tunnels which lie beneath Rome’s most iconic monument.

  Measuring roughly 55 metres in length and concealed beneath the vast amphitheatre, the passage constitutes the highest level of the structure's “Vomitorium”, an ancient system engineered to funnel the Roman masses in and out of the Colosseum efficiently. Nestled within an underground labyrinth of tunnels, this system allowed for the highest echelons of the Roman political elite to move unseen through the spectacle. Built between the end of the first and the beginning of the second century A.D., decades after the Colosseum’s inauguration in 80 A.D., the Commodus Passage stands as a testament to the sophistication of Roman engineering and the constant undercurrent of paranoia and political volatility which lay at the heart of the imperial palace. 

  The tunnel was part of a sophisticated maze of passageways designed to keep the emperor physically separate from the general populus, whilst maintaining his mystique of divinity and symbolic connection to his subjects. It also offered a discreet escape route in the event of political unrest, a significant consideration in an arena which regularly hosted crowds of up to 50,000 people. 

  Although the tunnel was rediscovered in the 19th century, it has now been made accessible to the public, offering a rare opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the Roman elite. Named after the Emperor Commodus, the tunnel is believed to have been the site of a suspected assassination attempt during his reign. However, unlike in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, Commodus was not killed in the Colosseum, but rather later met his end by poisoning and strangulation at the hands of his inner circle. 

  In recent years, conservation efforts have revealed traces of the corridor’s original splendour. Initially clad in marble, the walls were later refinished with plaster and decorated with painted pastoral scenes. The tunnel also features a vaulted ceiling with intricate stuccowork depicting the god of theatre, wine and spectacle, Dionysus, and his wife Ariadne, whilst niches at the entrance once displayed vivid illustrations of arena spectacles such as bear fights and acrobats. Although time and moisture have weathered much of the original decoration, some fragments still remain, and a virtual reconstruction helps visitors to envision how the space would have looked in antiquity.

  In 2024, the Colosseum welcomed nearly 15 million visitors, according to Statista, making it Italy’s most visited monument. Officials hope the opening of the Commodus Passage will offer visitors a broader perspective on the Colosseum, highlighting its role not only in public entertainment but also in reinforcing the spectacle and symbolism of imperial rule.