Piazza Navona 1-Hour Underground audio guide tour

A testimony of the first and only masonry stadium ever built in ancient Rome, the ruins of the Stadium of Domitian (Unesco World Heritage Site) lie about 5 metres beneath street level in Piazza Navona. A rich selection of unpublished photos, 3-Dimensional reconstructions, videos and informative panels introduce visitors to the millenial history of the Stadium, its development into the current square and the evolution of ancient Roman sports. The admission ticket include a multi-language audio guide. An average visit takes about 40
It is hard to believe that beneath the bustling streets surrounding Piazza Navona lie the remains of an ancient Roman structure, rich in fascinating history. The Stadium of Domitian, also known as the Circus Agonalis, seated approximately 30,000 spectators and was used mostly for athletic contests and fighting competitions. This huge, spectacular outdoor arena was filled with plenty of professional gymnasts, performing in competitive disciplines such as foot races (usually involving female athletes), wrestling, the pancrazio (a mix of wrestling and boxing), the long jump, discus and javelin throws. Sports competitions were very important among the ancient Romans, to the point that some of the winners had their tombs engraved with their names. The name inscripted on the tombstone, curiously, was more valuable than the prize itslef (a crown made of oak and olive leaves). One of the largest entertainment venues in Roman history, today the Stadium of Domitian lies beneath the modern metropolis