For the first time, visitors to Rome can walk through a 2,000-year-old secret tunnel beneath the Colosseum — once used by Roman emperors to enter the arena unseen.
The Commodus Passage Opens to the Public
Known as the Commodus Passage, the newly opened underground corridor connects the outside of the amphitheater to the pulvinar, or imperial box, where emperors watched gladiator battles, animal hunts, and mock naval games. According to the Colosseum Archaeological Park, the passage offered rulers a discreet and secure route into the arena, away from the crowds.
A Glimpse of Imperial Secrecy
Built sometime between the first and second centuries C.E., the tunnel reflects the hidden logistics of Roman imperial life. It allowed the emperor to arrive directly beneath his viewing platform, reinforcing both his mystique and authority over the spectacle below.
Why ‘Commodus’?
The passage takes its name from Emperor Commodus (reigned 177–192 C.E.), the notorious ruler known for his obsession with gladiatorial combat — and immortalized by Joaquin Phoenix in the film Gladiator. Ancient accounts suggest Commodus may have even survived an assassination attempt in one of these underground corridors.
Rediscovery and Restoration
The secret tunnel was first uncovered between 1810 and 1814 by French archaeologists, then studied intermittently through the 19th and 20th centuries. A multi-phase restoration, completed in 2025, has now opened the passage to visitors as part of the Colosseum’s new “Full Experience” tour.
A Window into Ancient Power
Beyond its architectural intrigue, the Commodus Passage offers rare insight into the private world of Rome’s emperors — revealing how power, spectacle, and secrecy intertwined beneath one of history’s greatest monuments.