When in Rome… well, you know the rest.
If you are planning a trip to the ancient city in the next few weeks you have the opportunity to be one of the first to experience the restored ruins of two opulent Roman villas and private thermal baths that recently opened to the public.
Each villa boasts a 3-D reconstruction that offers a virtual tour of the luxurious residences found in downtown Rome. Local archaeologists uncovered an ancient neighborhood, where historians believe senators and knight used to live. The 2,000 square-yard complex dates back to the 2nd century and is now open for group tours. It features original mosaic and marble floors, bathtubs and collapsed walls that archaeologists believe belong to a domus — the richly decorated residences of Rome’s wealthy and noble families.
History buffs will delight in walking on glass catwalks above the villas’ underground remains before exploring another historic site, Emperor Augustus’ frescoed palace atop Rome’s Palatine Hill. According to city officials, that site will partially reopen to the public March 2, 2008 after decades of restoration work.
The palace closed in the 1980s and since then more $17 million has been spent to restore the porticoed garden of Rome’s first emperor and piece together precious frescoes that time had reduced to rubble. The elaborate structure was originally built in the 1st century B.C. Now tour guides are allowing groups of up to 10 people to explore the ornate decor in Augustus’ studio and in the hall where the emperor received guests. The tour also takes guests through rooms in the nearby palace built for Augustus’ wife Livia.
City officials hope the renovated attractions will shed light on the role Augustus played in Roman history. Tour guides are taught to school guests about Augustus and his great-uncle, Julius Caesar. The former ruled Rome from 29 B.C. until his death in 14 A.D. According to tour guides, contemporaries revered Augustus as a wise and godlike leader, who ushered in a period of peace and prosperity for the empire.
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