Did you know that if you visit the underground of the Basilica di San Clemente (Saint Clemens’ basilica) in Rome, you may admire the ruins of a house destroyed by the famous fire the city ruled by Nero suffered in 64 A.D.? Gossipers at the time insinuated that it was the emperor himself who commissioned the fire, taking advantage of the disaster to build the fabulous Domus Aurea for himself. Just access the excavations below the 2nd-century basilica and you will clearly see the marks of wax present on the surrounding walls of this ancient living space. Upon reaching the Ancient Roman houses, you will find yourself not one, but two stories below street level. It is a pleasant time-machine ride to 2000 years ago, but do bring a sweater, because it gets chilly down there!
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