Ancient Rome Reopens Hidden Passage Beneath the Colosseum

Teachers planning future history or classics trips to Rome now have a new highlight to include in their itineraries. Italy has opened the Commodus Passage, a once-hidden corridor beneath the Colosseum, to the public for the first time time.

The underground passage was used by emperors to access the arena unseen, providing a secret route into imperial Rome's private world. After careful restoration, the route now connects directly from the Colosseum to the nearby Ludus Magnus, where gladiators once fought trained.

For students, it serves as a vivid reminder that the Colosseum wasn’t just an architectural wonder - it was a stage for politics, power, and performance. The new access point helps bring those stories to life in a way that no textbook can.

If you’re planning a school trip to Rome, our team can incorporate this exciting new experience into your itinerary, alongside other educational visits such as the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, and Ostia Antica.

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