For years, the existence of underground rooms beneath a secondary school in central Rome was treated more as a local story than documented history. A short distance from the Colosseum, beneath the gymnasium of the Liceo Scientifico Cavour, lay a network of burial places largely out of view, known to a handful of curious visitors but never fully investigated.This changed after reports from within the school attracted the attention of heritage authorities. What has been uncovered is evidence of a substantial Roman habitation dating from the mid-2nd century AD. according to Official information released through the Cantiri Naranti Heritage Project, The remains are of a large domus preserved beneath the modern building, whose decorative elements have survived in remarkably good condition despite centuries of change above ground.

who was its owner ancient roman house under the school gym

The site is located in a historically important part of the city between the Carina district and the Esquiline Hill. Ancient literary sources connect the wider region with some of the most famous political figures of the late Roman Republic and early Empire. Yet modern development has left archaeologists only fragmented opportunities to examine what once stood there.According to the Cantieri Narenti project description, earlier construction work in 1895 had opened up a part of the same residential complex during the inauguration of Via degli Annibaldi. Records of those investigations from the nineteenth century documented a water pipe bearing the name of a member of the Umbreus family, providing some clues about the possible owners of the property. The newly examined rooms show that the residence was part of a large and prosperous urban family, rather than a modest residence. Most of the structure is hidden beneath the school grounds, meaning the full extent of the complex is still unknown.

Ancient Roman painted walls and plastered ceilings found remarkably intact

The most important aspect of the discovery is the existence of interior decoration. According to Cantieri Naranti, many of the rooms have painted surfaces and stucco ornamentation extending to the vaulted ceilings. Such details are often one of the first features to be lost when buildings are demolished, rebuilt or buried for long periods of time.The underground space was gradually filled with subsequent debris and accumulated material. Work carried out in early 2026 focused on clearing these deposits and preparing the area for archaeological investigation. The preserved decorative program is expected to provide valuable evidence about domestic architecture and artistic taste in imperial Rome. Researchers are also conducting surveys, diagnostic studies, and conservation work designed to stabilize both the structures and their decorative surfaces. These efforts are part of a broader program aimed at preserving the remains before wider public access becomes possible.

Multimillion-euro plan to restore and open up Rome’s buried Roman Domus

The intervention is being funded through the Caput Mundi program under Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan. According to Cantieri Narenti, the project involves archaeological investigation, restoration, structural consolidation, infrastructure upgrades and public participation initiatives.Work officially began in September 2025 and continues until 2026. The program was conceived not only as a conservation effort, but also as a way to bring an otherwise inaccessible archaeological site into public view. Unlike many excavations hidden behind barriers, this project places great emphasis on communication. Printed materials, digital content and educational activities are planned as part of the long-term presentation of the site.

How Rome’s high school students are being taught inside an 1,800-year-old Roman home

The relationship between the Roman house and the school above it is expected to remain central to the future of the site. According to the official information published by Liceo Cavour High School, The archaeological remains are being developed through a collaborative approach involving heritage officials, teachers and students.Plans are made to make the Domus accessible once conservation work has progressed sufficiently. The intention is not just to display the remains but to integrate them into school-related educational activities. At present, most of the ancient residence is hidden beneath the modern complex. Yet each phase of excavation is adding detail to a chapter of Rome’s urban history that had largely disappeared from view. What’s left beneath the gym floor is little more than a disparate collection of rooms; It is part of a residential landscape that was once the center of imperial Rome and is now beginning to reemerge.