Secret Tunnel Beneath The Colosseum Opens To Visitors

The Commodus Passage led directly to a private box in the Colosseum reserved for Roman emperors, but archaeologists aren't yet sure where it began.

It’s now possible to walk in the footsteps of the Roman emperors who once watched matches at the Colosseum. For the first time in its 2,000-year history, a hidden imperial passage that allowed rulers to enter the arena unseen will be open to the public.

Dubbed the “Commodus Passage” after the Roman emperor who played at being a gladiator — and whose story appears in the film Gladiator — the tunnel led directly to a private box to protect the leaders. Part of this restored passage will open to visitors on Oct. 27, marking an important milestone in the preservation of the ancient wonder that is the Colosseum.

The History Of The Commodus Pass