Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
- San Clemente Basilica
- Case Romane del Celio Archaeological Site
- Monastery of the Santi Quattro Coronati
- Museo della Forma Urbis
Photos & Highlights
- Dive into the secrets of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire through hidden underground sites
- A tailored experience to fit your interests, guided by a passionate archeologist or historian
Select a date
Tour Description
As you take in the breathtaking views of the Roman Forum and the wonders of Rome, it’s impossible not to wonder: What was life like at the height of the Roman Empire? And how did it all come to an end?
Perfect for curious minds and history enthusiasts, this Rome history tour offers a fresh perspective on a lesser-known chapter of Roman civilization—the transformation from the fall of the Empire to the Middle Ages.
With the guidance of an expert archaeologist or historian, you will jump into Rome’s hidden history and explore the fascinating ruins below San Clemente Basilica, and the preserved ancient homes of Case Romane del Celio, which provide a glimpse into daily life during the Empire’s decline.
Perfect for curious minds and history enthusiasts, this Rome history tour offers a fresh perspective on a lesser-known chapter of Roman civilization—the transformation from the fall of the Empire to the Middle Ages.
With the guidance of an expert archaeologist or historian, you will jump into Rome’s hidden history and explore the fascinating ruins below San Clemente Basilica, and the preserved ancient homes of Case Romane del Celio, which provide a glimpse into daily life during the Empire’s decline.
Experts
Your journey begins at San Clemente Basilica, where you’ll explore not just a medieval church but also the ancient Mithraeum—an underground temple—and other well-preserved Roman-era buildings and structures hidden beneath the church.
Depending on your interests and museum availability, your guide will then lead you to either the church of SS Quattro Coronati, where you can admire stunning medieval frescoes, or the Museo della Forma Urbis, an archaeological gem showcasing detailed marble plans of ancient Rome. Both sites provide a peaceful escape from the crowds, allowing you to fully absorb the rich history at a relaxed pace.
Depending on your interests and museum availability, your guide will then lead you to either the church of SS Quattro Coronati, where you can admire stunning medieval frescoes, or the Museo della Forma Urbis, an archaeological gem showcasing detailed marble plans of ancient Rome. Both sites provide a peaceful escape from the crowds, allowing you to fully absorb the rich history at a relaxed pace.
The tour concludes at Case Romane del Celio, an intimate and quiet site that offers a rare glimpse into daily life during the final days of the Roman Empire. As you explore its beautifully preserved frescoes and mosaics, your guide will share historical insights, offering the perfect introduction to Rome’s transition from antiquity to the Middle Ages.
- You want to explore fascinating underground archaeological sites, where history comes to life through expert storytelling—not just a checklist of famous landmarks.
- You prefer a relaxed, immersive experience, away from the crowds, where you can truly absorb the atmosphere of ancient spaces without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
- You’re eager to discover hidden, lesser-known underground sites with an expert archaeologist or historian as your guide—no prior knowledge needed, just curiosity and a sense of adventure
- San Clemente Basilica – A unique three-layered complex showcasing nearly 2,000 years of history.
- Case Romane del Celio – A collection of well-preserved ancient Roman houses with stunning frescoes.
- SS Quattro Coronati – A fortified medieval church known for its serene cloister and rare 13th-century frescoes.
- Museo della Forma Urbis (optional) – An archaeological museum housing fragments of the Forma Urbis Romae, an ancient marble map that detailed the city’s layout in the 3rd century.
Tickets
You are pre-paid for the tour and the tickets for San Clemente and the Case Romane. In case you opt for visiting the Museo della Forma Urbis, the tickets will be paid for on-site.
Transportation
This is a walking tour. We meet near San Clemente Basilica and end near the Circus Maximus, with convenient public transportation options nearby. If you require a transfer, you can add this option during the checkout process.
Are all the sites on the list included in the tour?
The tour includes a visit to San Clemente and the Case Romane del Celio with pre-purchased tickets. You’ll also have the opportunity to personalize your experience by choosing between visiting SS Quattro Coronati or Museo della Forma Urbis. Please keep in mind that the Museo della Forma Urbis is closed on Mondays.
The tour includes a visit to San Clemente and the Case Romane del Celio with pre-purchased tickets. You’ll also have the opportunity to personalize your experience by choosing between visiting SS Quattro Coronati or Museo della Forma Urbis. Please keep in mind that the Museo della Forma Urbis is closed on Mondays.
Should I expect a crowded experience?
Not at all. The sites on this tour are less crowded than the more famous Roman landmarks, offering a peaceful and intimate experience.
Not at all. The sites on this tour are less crowded than the more famous Roman landmarks, offering a peaceful and intimate experience.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Are the sites easy to access or claustrophobic?
Yes, the tour is designed to be accessible and comfortable, with a relaxed pace. There are no tight or claustrophobic spaces, and you can feel free to take your time at each site.
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
Unfortunately, not all sites on this tour are accessible. If you have mobility concerns, please let us know at the time of booking, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
Unfortunately, not all sites on this tour are accessible. If you have mobility concerns, please let us know at the time of booking, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
Book with confidence — see Context’s flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
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150 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
This was a bit of a leap for me -- not the top of my wish list for Context tours, but it was the one with openings on the day I had free in Rome... and it turned out to be fascinating. Philip was great: totally approachable, easygoing and knows his stuff. He did a really good job of boiling down a complex history into an understandable timeline and making us see how all the pieces fit together -- not just in terms of the history, but in terms of the tangible archaeological evidence we can see. In the end, I was so glad I did this tour instead of one of the more obvious ones. I've been to Rome several times, and this took me to places I'd never seen and gave some really interesting insights on the history. The SS Quattro Coronati is a hidden gem. Both the chapel and the cloister were beautiful and places I never would have known even to look for. Thanks for a great experience.
Betsy
Reviewed on:
Jul 31, 2016
eric was really smart, one of the people with us is very in to history and they were great together
Mark
Reviewed on:
Sep 30, 2014
This was also a wonderful tour, but I was very hot and sleepy (jet-lag), so I did not take away as much as I would have liked. Is there a reason that this tour is offered at 3:00 pm? I would have done better if it were in the morning . . . let me be clear that it was not the guide's fault -- he was great!
Cynthia
Reviewed on:
Aug 23, 2014
