[Anyone going to Rome in th eFall]

Hi all , just got back Rome last week . Had a few surprises at the Forum.The small Temple of Romulus is now open to the public .The recent theme in Rome this summer has been Nero so they are showing videos in the Temple of Romulus of " how Hollywood viewed Nero"

Also the Garden of the Vestal Virgins is open again to the public. On the Palatine they have allowed the public to visit the South Eastern end of the hill in back of the Stadium of Domitian area. Also they have opened up the dig on the Palatine where thy have supposedly found the revolving dome of Nero's Golden House. It was just being worked on last year when I was there but they now have a sizable excavation and they allow the public to walk

over it and look inside .

Attached are a few pics I shot .

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving dome dig

 

 

 

 

 

Dome dig from below

[Entry to South /West Palatine area]

There was a structure right below me when I was on the end of the platform behind the Domition area of the Palatine. Not sure what it is . I though at first it was the paedagogium but I think that is further west on the hill.

You seem to really know your stuff so I though I'd run it by you.

FYI , the House of the Griffins was closed again ( been to Rome 5 times and never saw it open once ) House of Livia was closed and Nero's Golden House is closed indefinitely

 

 

Tough one, it could be part of the (probably Severan) substructures running along this side of the hill, but it seems to be slightly off axis and more in line with the Domitian structures. I'll look into it some more.

 

I've never been able to get into the House of the Griffin's or Livia's house either. The Golden House I have been fortunate enough to visit a few times, as well as the ground level of Domitian's stadium on the Palatine (a real treat).

Would love to get into the Golden House . I hear it's in bad shape these days . I wanted to get into the Auditorium of Maecenas but it was closed every time I walked over there. There was a number to call. I think before I go next year I'm going to try to make some contacts in Rome and see if i can get some appointments to see the places i'm missing. San Nicola in Carcere was opened for the first time. Interesting place.

They had flyers posted for a trip down into the basement to see the temple below . There was a guy in the church with a clipboard with names and times . I TRIED to talk to him but he was making not much sense at all. I was pointing to the flyer and asking him if he was the guy to see about the tour but he kept shrugging his shoulders. ?????

Oh well , this all just gives me another excuse to go back again next year to see what I missed .

I'm examining my photos now and checking them against charts and maps I have trying to identity some of the ruins I saw on the Palatine. I was trying to find the site that supposedly is the site of the Lupercal grotto , I assume it's close to San Theodoro church . Many Thanx LEE

[Entry to South /West Palatine area]

Just a few more shots. They are doing some digging near the Arch of Titus 0n the East end of Palatine near Colosseum. Included is the sign posted there .

 

They are also working og the Temple of Peace area and have more cleared out since I was there last summer.

 

 

 

[Entry to South /West Palatine area]

 

This year Nero was the theme in Rome. They had different exhibits about him in different locations. Inside the Temple of Romulus they were showing videos of how Hollywood portrayed Nero

It was a great chance to finally get inside. Last year I was only able to see it through the glass from the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian .

 

 

Wow, that's great. Thanks for posting.

There was a structure right below me when I was on the end of the platform behind the Domition area of the Palatine. Not sure what it is . I though at first it was the paedagogium but I think that is further west on the hill.

You seem to really know your stuff so I though I'd run it by you.

FYI , the House of the Griffins was closed again ( been to Rome 5 times and never saw it open once ) House of Livia was closed and Nero's Golden House is closed indefinitely

[Entry to South /West Palatine area]

The area of Domitian was finally opened as well. They let people go around the entire stadium area which offered some great views of the South /East section of the Palatine facing the Circus Maximus from the hill platform.

Rome had record breaking heat that day , well over 100 degrees.

 

 

 

 

 

[Entry to South /West Palatine area]

Great pictures, thanks. It looks like the 'Temple of Romulus' open as well?

Iirc you could only peer into it from inside the church.

This year Nero was the theme in Rome. They had different exhibits about him in different locations. Inside the Temple of Romulus they were showing videos of how Hollywood portrayed Nero

It was a great chance to finally get inside. Last year I was only able to see it through the glass from the Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian .

 

 

[Entry to South /West Palatine area]

Sorry for the duplicated photos od the Nero site.

Garden of the Vestal Virgins now opened again .

More to come once I sort out the 100s of pics I took. PS Rome was HOT all week

 

 

[Entry to South /West Palatine area]

Is it possible that we're talking about two Stadia of Domitian? One that forms the outline of the Piazza Navona and the other in the area of the Palatine? Can anyone clarify this?

Must mean the hippodrome high up on the hill http://romeitaly.ca/attractions/stadiumofdomitian.html

I wonder if you can descend inside now - I always have been able to peer in.

 

Don't forget the upper (NE?) corner overlooking the Colosseum where an unobtrusive hole is now signposted as the probable location of Nero's famous dining room with rotating roof. Can see how the mechanism might work, although it looks a bit small. Also the lower level area opposite the Colosseum has huge temples opening just after my last visit.

I have some good shots of the "revolving roof " dig and also of the ruins just below opposite the Colosseum.

More to come ...Lee

[Entry to South /West Palatine area]

Is it possible that we're talking about two Stadia of Domitian? One that forms the outline of the Piazza Navona and the other in the area of the Palatine? Can anyone clarify this?

Must mean the hippodrome high up on the hill http://romeitaly.ca/attractions/stadiumofdomitian.html

I wonder if you can descend inside now - I always have been able to peer in.

 

Don't forget the upper (NE?) corner overlooking the Colosseum where an unobtrusive hole is now signposted as the probable location of Nero's famous dining room with rotating roof. Can see how the mechanism might work, although it looks a bit small. Also the lower level area opposite the Colosseum has huge temples opening just after my last visit.

I have some good shots of the "revolving roof " dig and also of the ruins just below opposite the Colosseum.

More to come ...Lee

[Entry to South /West Palatine area]

Is it possible that we're talking about two Stadia of Domitian? One that forms the outline of the Piazza Navona and the other in the area of the Palatine? Can anyone clarify this?

Must mean the hippodrome high up on the hill http://romeitaly.ca/attractions/stadiumofdomitian.html

I wonder if you can descend inside now - I always have been able to peer in.

 

Don't forget the upper (NE?) corner overlooking the Colosseum where an unobtrusive hole is now signposted as the probable location of Nero's famous dining room with rotating roof. Can see how the mechanism might work, although it looks a bit small. Also the lower level area opposite the Colosseum has huge temples opening just after my last visit.

I have some good shots of the "revolving roof " dig and also of the ruins just below opposite the Colosseum.

More to come ...Lee

[Entry to South /West Palatine area]

Is it possible that we're talking about two Stadia of Domitian? One that forms the outline of the Piazza Navona and the other in the area of the Palatine? Can anyone clarify this?

Must mean the hippodrome high up on the hill http://romeitaly.ca/attractions/stadiumofdomitian.html

I wonder if you can descend inside now - I always have been able to peer in.

 

Don't forget the upper (NE?) corner overlooking the Colosseum where an unobtrusive hole is now signposted as the probable location of Nero's famous dining room with rotating roof. Can see how the mechanism might work, although it looks a bit small. Also the lower level area opposite the Colosseum has huge temples opening just after my last visit.

I have some good shots of the "revolving roof " dig and also of the ruins just below opposite the Colosseum.

More to come ...Lee

[Entry to South /West Palatine area]

It's a fragile part of the hill, I wouldn't be surprised if it was closed. Not many tourists would go there anyway.

Your best bet is to contact the Soprintendenza: http://archeoroma.beniculturali.it/en

Enjoy your trip, and if you do get in, post some pictures

Hi , thanks for the reply. Didn't get in so far . The do have the garden of the Vestial Virgins open again. Very well done. They also have opened up the Stadium of Domitian area of the Palatine with some great views of that end of the Palatine to be had. I have some great shots I'll post when I return and give a rundown of whats new in the Forum/Palatine

The are doing a LOT of new work there.. LEE

 

That's the same stadium that forms part of the Piazza Navona, isn't it? You can see some stone fragments at one end, through a basement window of a restaurant or bar, as I remember. Quite lengthy, I'd say.

No , I'm referring to the stadium on the Palatine Hill sometimes called the Hippodrome of Domitian.You can't descend into it but this is the first time I have been there that they let you walk around the whole structure and onto the platform looking over the Circus Maximus and area of the Septizodium .I'll be back in the USA at weeks end and post some pics. There was lots of work going on all around the Forum area , especially digging going on around the Temple of Peace .

[Entry to South /West Palatine area]

It's a fragile part of the hill, I wouldn't be surprised if it was closed. Not many tourists would go there anyway.

Your best bet is to contact the Soprintendenza: http://archeoroma.beniculturali.it/en

Enjoy your trip, and if you do get in, post some pictures

Hi , thanks for the reply. Didn't get in so far . The do have the garden of the Vestial Virgins open again. Very well done. They also have opened up the Stadium of Domitian area of the Palatine with some great views of that end of the Palatine to be had. I have some great shots I'll post when I return and give a rundown of whats new in the Forum/Palatine

The are doing a LOT of new work there.. LEE

[Entry to South /West Palatine area]

Hi all, heading back to Rome for my 4th visit. Have my maps and charts ready . I'm interested in the South /West area of the Palatine around the area of San Teodoro. Does anyone know if the public is allowed in that area at all anymore ?

There is one spot where there used to be an entrance but it's always been closed. Any ideas on who to contact ? Many Thanks ..LEE

I'll be sure to post some pics at the end of Aug.

[identify this wall PALATINE]

Many thanx. Actually I had that same shot from Google Earth with me on my trip (and many others) .I've become very interested in that end of the Palatine.

Most maps I've found don't give much detail on the corner of the hill.

This map seems to say it 's the remains of the Wall of the Kings MAP

I was also trying to see if I could see the site of the Lupercal but wasn't sure I was in the general area. I wonder if they ever intend to let visitors into that section of the Palatine? I have quite a few other good shots of that area but really couldn't identify much of what I saw there.

Any other input would be appreciated. If anyone knows of a more detailed map of that area please let me know. Many Thanx LEE

 

 

BY THE WAY BING MAPS have some excellent "birds eye " views of the area. You can also switch angles and get different areal views .

BING MAP ROMAN FORUM

[identify this wall PALATINE]

Many thanx. Actually I had that same shot from Google Earth with me on my trip (and many others) .I've become very interested in that end of the Palatine.

Most maps I've found don't give much detail on the corner of the hill.

This map seems to say it 's the remains of the Wall of the Kings MAP

I was also trying to see if I could see the site of the Lupercal but wasn't sure I was in the general area. I wonder if they ever intend to let visitors into that section of the Palatine? I have quite a few other good shots of that area but really couldn't identify much of what I saw there.

Any other input would be appreciated. If anyone knows of a more detailed map of that area please let me know. Many Thanx LEE

[identify this wall PALATINE]

Hi all . Can someone identify this wall on the western Palatine hill. It's about 100 yards from S Theodoro church . I took these shots this august in Rome. It was right outside of a gate on Via San Theodoro ( it must have been a Palatine entrance at one time , there was sort of a guard house next to the gate)

I can't really nail it on the maps I have , I know there's some real knowledgeable people on here who may be able to help.

Many Thanks , Lee

 

[Nero's rotating banquet hall unveiled in Rome]

I found the site of the "revolving dome" this August. Wish I could have gotten a bit closer but here are 2 quick shots I took at the dig

[Nero's rotating banquet hall unveiled in Rome]

For those following this story, here's a analytical view of the recent announcement. I'm kind of surprised that there hasn't been more suspicion of what was actually discovered from within the UNRV community.

Have we found Nero's rotating dining room?

by Mary Beard

 

The first I knew of this 'discovery' -- of Nero's famous dining room -- was when I got an email from the World Service, wondering if I had a view which could be broadcast. As it happened, I didn't (I had other things on today, even though the World Service is always worth helping out).

 

But I still haven't worked out what it was that had been 'discovered'.

 

The basic 'facts' go back to Suetonius, who claims in his 'Life of Nero' that in the famous 'Golden House'. Nero had some kind of revolving dining room: there were, Suetonius says, "dining rooms <plural> with fretted ceilings of ivory, whose panels could turn and shower down flowers and were fitted with pipes for sprinkling the guests with perfumes. The main banquet hall was circular and rotated day and night, like the heavens."

 

This vast palace took up huge tracts of land in the centre of Rome, but it has always been a bit unclear exactly what it looked like, and how far you could match up the literary descriptions with what remains on the ground.

 

And as usual there was a terrible temptation to equate what we can see with what the Romans wrote about.

 

I was always told that the "octagonal room" (in the picture) in the excavated area was what Suetonius was referring to. How exactly it rotated, or what rotated, is anyone's guess. But obviously that's been a bit massaged (or forgotten) in the new story.

 

I am actually a bit baffled by these recent archaeological discoveries. I have only looked at them briefly. But where exactly ARE they? And, honestly, does a big pillar really prove that we have got a rotating dining room... and what exactly rotated anyway?

 

I half suspect that no such thing as a rotating dining room existed. But even if it did, I still don't see why these remains really do reveal whatever it was that Suetonius was talking about.

 

More to the point, how far do we really understand Nero's 'Golden House'? I have away thought that the excavated area might actually all be the servants' wing (despite the big 'octagonal room') -- and all the plush, celebrity areas were elsewhere.

 

Maybe.. but if anyone can help with this 'discovery' (like where is it), please tell. I always suspect with this kind of thing that there is an over optimistic attempt to match up the extravagant literary account with what remains under the ground.

 

And I suspect that the PR department is somewhere near -- plugging the "Nero connection" for all it's worth.

[Nero's rotating banquet hall unveiled in Rome]

I was in Rome this August and found the site where they found the so called revolving dome of Nero.Attached are a photo of the sign they installed at the site and a quick shot I took through the fence. Wish I could have gotten closer.