The ruins of Nero's legendary theatre have been discovered in the middle of Rome

Italian archaeologists announced this week that the ruins of Nero's Cilium have been discovered beneath the garden of the future Four Seasons hotel near the Vaticanof Nero's theatre, mentioned in ancient Roman texts but until now there was no tangible evidence.

An archaeological excavation of the courtyard of the frescoed Palazzo della Rovere from the 15th century. century revealed a nearly 2,000-year-old semicircular seated auditorium, marble columns, decorative stucco with gold leaf and stores of costumes and sets. According to Supervising Director Daniela Porr, "this extraordinary discovery is thought to be where Nero rehearsed his poetry and his musical performances, a place mentioned in Roman writings but never found before...".

Archaeologists have been working on the site since 2020. The excavation is taking place just a few steps from St. Peter's Square. Other finds include the possible remains of the Horti di Agrippina, where Caligula built a large circus for horse racing. Furthermore, traces of manufacturing and pilgrimage activities from the Middle Ages have been discovered. Archaeologists have found rare examples of medieval glass goblets, pots for cooking and baking bread, coins, parts of musicalinstruments, bone combs, tools used to make rosary beads and early Christian pilgrimage insignia...

"It's a great site that every archaeologist dreams of... The opportunity to dig in this built-up, historically rich area is very rare," she told reporters, adding that the artifacts discovered will be displayed and all the findsartefacts from the excavation will be placed in the city's public database to add to the wealth of information gathered over the years about the history and life in Rome.

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Roman Nemec

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Archaeologist and medieval history expert Ilaria de Luca

part of the artifacts found

Theatre from above

At the excavation site

Nero's theatre was found under the walled garden of the Palazzo della Rovere

the ruins of the theatre under the garden of the Palazzo della Rovere

One of the frescoes of the theatre in the centre

Findings