After undergoing extensive restoration, a historic Roman imperial palace situated on Palatine Hill in the city has reopened for visitors, marking nearly half a century since its closure.
With a history spanning nearly 2,000 years, the Domus Tiberiana was a residence for rulers during the ancient city’s imperial period. This spacious palace offers panoramic views of the Roman Forum.
As the Standard.co.uk News reports, decades of structural restoration efforts to ensure the palace’s safety have allowed the public to explore its historic corridors. During the excavations, a treasure trove of artefacts dating back centuries was discovered, revealing insights into Roman life after the empire’s fall.
In this regard, the director of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum, Alfonsina Russo, which includes Palatine Hill, aptly called it “the quintessential palace of power”.
On the eve of its reopening, Russo drew inspiration from a Roman poet of the first century, comparing the sprawling palace to the endless expanse of the sky, emphasising its grandeur.
Although its name is associated with Tiberius, who took over the empire after the death of Augustus, archaeological investigations have revealed that the foundations of the Domus, or mansion, date from the time of Nero, shortly after the city endured the catastrophic fire of year 64. A.D., which left a vast destruction in its wake.
Moreover, the English word “palatial” is inspired by the opulent imperial residence atop Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills of ancient Rome.
Located on the northwest slope of the hill, the domus is considered the first actual imperial palace. In addition to the emperor’s residence, this complex included gardens, places of worship, rooms for the Praetorian Guard responsible for protecting the ruler, and a service district for workers, offering commanding views of the Roman Forum.
The excavation and restoration efforts, which continued even during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, when tourism dwindled for months, played a crucial role in allowing archaeologists to meticulously reconstruct centuries of history in a place that, in some way, had faded into darkness.
A curated collection of hundreds of discovered objects is on display for visitors exploring the reopened Domus. Among these treasures are metal and glass objects, statues, various decorations and ancient coins, all of which have been excavated from the site, shedding light on the rich history that had somehow been forgotten.
Previously, the Italian Ministry of Tourism announced that visitors to the Pantheon, one of the best-preserved monuments in the world, will be required to pay an entrance fee of €5.
The former temple attracts millions of tourists annually and has rightly earned its reputation as one of Italy’s most visited tourist attractions.
According to the Ministry, the €5 entrance fee aligns with a national initiative to increase revenue from the country’s cultural assets. The Ministry of Tourism has decided that 70 per cent of these revenues will be allocated to the maintenance and cleaning of these assets. At the same time, the remaining portion is expected to be distributed to the Diocese of Rome.
