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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Andrea Rosa and Giada Zampano

Once-secret Emperor Commodus' passage to Rome Colosseum opens to public for the first time

Italy Colosseum Emperor's Passage - (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

For the first time in nearly 2,000 years, visitors to Rome’s world-renowned Colosseum will have the opportunity to walk through a hidden imperial passage that once allowed Roman emperors to reach the ancient amphitheater unseen.

The once-secret corridor — known as the “Commodus Passage” and named after the Roman emperor turned into a pop icon by Ridley Scott’s movie “Gladiator” — opens to the public on Oct. 27, marking an extraordinary milestone in archaeological preservation and access.

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