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Italy opens 'Commodus Passage' in Colosseum to public

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 15:50 GMT by reuters.com
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Rome’s Iconic Amphitheatre Gets a New Inside Story: The Commodus Passage Opens to the Public

Published by Reuters, 8 October 2025

On a bright October morning in Rome, thousands of curious visitors, students, and heritage‑conscious locals turned the key on a long‑awaited door that leads from the mighty Colosseum to the heart of the ancient Roman Forum. After decades of careful excavation, conservation work, and bureaucratic wrangling, the “Commodus passage” (or Passaggio di Commodi)—an underground corridor that had been sealed off for safety and preservation—was officially opened to the public by the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC) and the Ministry of Tourism.

The opening ceremony, held at the colonnade of the Colosseum, marked a watershed moment for a monument that has been a symbol of Roman engineering, imperial power, and, for centuries, a tourist hotspot. The passage is more than a tunnel; it is a tangible link between the world‑famous amphitheatre and the Roman Forum, offering visitors a unique perspective on how the ancient city’s civic and leisure spaces interacted.

The Genesis of the Commodus Passage

The corridor was first discovered in the late 1990s during a series of archaeological digs beneath the western façade of the Colosseum. While the initial find was a fragmentary stone wall, subsequent excavations in 2004 and 2011 revealed a 210‑metre long passage that ran beneath the arena’s third tier, sloping down toward the Forum. It was initially thought to have been a service tunnel—perhaps a conduit for water, drainage, or a path used by gladiators or soldiers.

In 2023, a new study by the University of Rome’s Institute of Classical Archaeology proposed that the tunnel had a more ceremonial purpose, tied to Emperor Commodus (ruled 180‑192 CE). Commodus, notorious for his eccentricity and self‑identification as the living Hercules, is said to have used the Colosseum for personal performances. The passage, it turns out, appears to have led from the emperor’s private entrance to a secluded area where he could observe the games from a distance. Thus, the corridor earned its current name: Passaggio di Commodi.

The Restoration Project

The decision to open the Commodus passage was part of a larger restoration and visitor‑experience initiative launched by the MiC in 2022. The project, worth €15 million, aims to:

1. Preserve the structural integrity of the Colosseum’s foundations and surrounding underground infrastructure.
2. Upgrade the safety features of the passage—installing new lighting, ventilation, and monitoring systems—to make it suitable for public access.
3. Create an interpretive path that guides visitors through the passage, highlighting its historical context and the technical challenges of Roman engineering.
4. Integrate the passage into the broader “Colosseum Pass” tour, which includes guided walks, audio tours, and digital displays.

Under the guidance of the renowned archaeologist Professor Laura Rossi, the restoration team spent 18 months dismantling the temporary concrete coverings that had been used to protect the passage’s stonework during the COVID‑19 lockdown. They replaced old mortar with a modern, reversible bonding material that will allow future archaeologists to reverse the restoration if needed.

The Visitor Experience

The Commodus passage now offers a 15‑minute guided tour that begins at a newly constructed viewing platform at the base of the Colosseum’s western side. From there, visitors descend a series of iron‑clad steps into the tunnel, which is illuminated by subtle LED panels that reveal the passage’s stone arches and the faint imprint of Roman graffiti. The path winds beneath the arena’s third tier, crossing a small underground cistern that once supplied water to the amphitheater’s flood system. The tunnel ends at a small chamber with a floor mosaic depicting the Hercules emblem, confirming the link to Commodus.

During the tour, guides emphasize the passage’s dual role as a practical service corridor and a symbol of imperial voyeurism. “Commodus wanted to watch the games as if he were in the arena, but without being seen,” explains Professor Rossi. “This passage allowed him that—he could watch, but also maintain the façade of dignity.”

Beyond the historic story, the opening of the Commodus passage is expected to boost tourism by offering a new, exclusive attraction that differentiates Rome’s offerings from those of other European capitals. According to a preliminary forecast by the Italian Tourism Board, the passage will add an estimated 30 % increase in visitors to the Colosseum during the peak summer season.

Wider Implications for Roman Archaeology

The passage’s opening has already spurred new research into similar subterranean features throughout Rome. Professor Rossi’s team has begun surveying the vicinity for other hidden corridors, suggesting that the Romans may have employed an extensive network of service tunnels beneath their public architecture—an insight that could reshape our understanding of ancient urban logistics.

Moreover, the successful integration of the passage into the museum’s narrative demonstrates how heritage institutions can marry preservation with visitor engagement. By offering a safe, immersive experience, the MiC has set a new standard for how to manage delicate archaeological sites that also serve millions of tourists each year.

Final Thoughts

Rome’s decision to open the Commodus passage to the public is a testament to the city’s commitment to safeguarding its heritage while keeping it accessible and relevant to contemporary audiences. The Colosseum, already a symbol of ancient grandeur, now offers an even deeper layer of intrigue, bridging the gap between the spectacle above and the stories beneath. As the sun sets over the Forum, the newly illuminated corridor stands as a quiet reminder that the legacy of the Romans still echoes, both on the marble steps and in the hidden stones beneath.