Colosseum’s ancient underground labyrinth restored to grisly splendour in Rome
- The reopening to the public of ancient Rome’s most famous amphitheatre was announced on Friday after meticulous restoration of the ‘hypogeum’
- The restoration, begun in 2018, involved 81 archaeologists, engineers and others working to clean and reinforce the walls within the hypogeum
The din of caged animals, the smell of gladiators’ fear and the thunder of tens of thousands of cheering spectators above have all evaporated with the passage of time.
But walking through the bowels of the Colosseum, the subterranean ruins of ancient Rome’s most famous amphitheatre, the extent to which technical expertise was harnessed to such bloody ends becomes painfully clear.
The reopening to the public was announced on Friday after meticulous restoration of the “hypogeum”, or below ground area, with a new pathway offering intimate views and an app explaining the grisly details of the behind-the-scenes area.
“It was dark, smelly. There were terrible conditions for the slaves and animals,” said guide “Cristina”, showing journalists through the underground.
Once covered by a wooden floor, the maze of dark corridors and chambers served as the amphitheatre’s backstage – and the last holding space for men and beasts who were released above to meet their fate.
