Inside Nero’s Domus Aurea with Rome Tour Tickets
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for visitors with average fitness; involves some stair climbing and walking on uneven surfaces.
Overview
Step inside Nero’s lavish Domus Aurea with exclusive access and a VR experience that revives ancient Rome’s art and architecture in vivid detail. Discover the origins of Renaissance art inspiration beneath the city streets.
Domus Aurea Tour – Exclusive access to the Nero’s Golden House with VR Experience
Ages 12+ • 2.5 hours
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About This Adventure
Explore the opulent Domus Aurea, Nero's extravagant palace that transformed Rome into a visionary city. Discover faded frescoes that inspired Renaissance masters like Michelangelo and Raphael, and learn about the origins of the artistic term "grotesque." This unique journey into history reveals the grandeur of ancient Roman artistry.
Duration:
2.5 hours
About
The Domus Aurea was part of the project that Nero had devised to convert and transform Rome into a new city "Necropolis" following the Hellenistic model in the manner of Alexandria, this is, a city with an orthogonal plane with squares and wide rectilinear streets. With this same ideology, 60 years later, Emperor Hadrian built the gigantic Villa Tiburtina 30 km from Rome.
The cave was covered with painted figures. Soon the word spread and the young Roman artists lowered themselves down inside the cave to admire the beautiful ancient frescoes. Today the frescoes are faded but were studied during the Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael. Raphael even took inspiration from the frescoes of the Domus Aurea for the making of the Vatican Loggia. Thanks to the discovery of these paintings, the artistic term "grotesque" was created. The construction of the Domus Aurea also known as the Golden House has been considered the most extravagant construction in the history of Rome.
Adventure Tips
Arrive Early to Secure Entry
The Domus Aurea tour starts promptly; arriving 20 minutes early ensures a smooth check-in and avoids missing your slot, as late arrivals cannot be accommodated.
Wear Comfortable Footwear
The subterranean palace includes uneven staircases and narrow passages, so sturdy, comfortable shoes are important for stability throughout the 2.5-hour tour.
Prepare for Limited Photography
Due to preservation efforts, photography inside the Domus Aurea may be restricted—check guidelines beforehand and appreciate the space with your eyes as well as your camera.
Bring a Light Layer
The underground environment can be cooler than above ground, especially in winter and spring—carry a light jacket or scarf for comfort.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Pigeons roosting on nearby ancient ruins
- Urban sparrows flitting through the nearby gardens
History
The Domus Aurea was commissioned by Emperor Nero after the great fire of Rome (64 AD) and represented a radical redesign of the city’s layout and public spaces.
Conservation
Strict preservation efforts limit visitor numbers and photography to protect the fragile frescoes and maintain the site’s structural integrity.
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Adventure Hotspots in Rome
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Comfortable walking shoes
Essential for navigating stairs and uneven floors within the Domus Aurea.
Light jacket or sweater
Keeps you warm in the cooler subterranean environment, especially during fall and winter.
fall specific
Portable phone charger
Useful for powering your device while using the VR experience during the tour.
Small backpack or bag
Convenient for carrying personal items and any layers you remove during the tour.