AP: For the first time in almost 2,000 years, the secret imperial passage to the Colosseum will be accessible

Rome, Oct. 10 - For the first time in nearly 2,000 years, visitors to the world-famous Colosseum will have the opportunity to walk through a secret passageway that allowed Roman emperors to enter the ancient amphitheater unnoticed, writes the AP agency. The secret passageway known as Commodus Passage, named after the Roman emperor made iconic by Ridley Scott's film Gladiator, will open to the public on Oct. 27, writes the AP agency.

Archaeologists at the Colosseum Archaeological Park explained that Roman emperors used the passageway to safely and unnoticed walk directly to the imperial box.

The secret passageway is named after Emperor Lucius Aurelius Commodus, who ruled between 180 and 192 AD. Commodus was known for his passion for gladiatorial games, and historical sources indicate that someone tried unsuccessfully to assassinate him while he was walking through this tunnel. The corridor was discovered in the 19th century.

At the entrance to the corridor, archaeologists have discovered the remains of decorative elements depicting scenes from the arena, including depictions of boar hunts, bear fights, and acrobatic performances. Archaeologists have noted that these works of art provided a fitting prelude to the brutal entertainment that awaited them. Commodus's passage is S-shaped and continues outside the Colosseum, but it is still unclear where it ends.

“Visitors can now experience what it was like to be an emperor entering the arena,” said Barbara Nazzaro, the architect who supervised the restoration work. “With a little imagination and the help of AI reconstruction, they can appreciate the decorations, stucco, frescoes and marble that covered the walls.” The project included the conservation and restoration of decorative stucco and plaster and the installation of a new walkway. It was completed between October 2024 and September 2025.

A new lighting system imitates the natural light that once penetrated through small holes in the vaults, and AI reconstruction helps visitors imagine what the corridor looked like in its original form.

The second restoration project, expected to begin in early 2026, will involve the section of the tunnel located outside the Colosseum.

Czech press agency | AP | WT.24