Politis

Inside the Rome Metro Station Next to the Colosseum - A Unique Underground Archaeological Experience

Published January 13, 2026, 08:28
Inside the Rome Metro Station Next to the Colosseum - A Unique Underground Archaeological Experience

Rome has inaugurated new stations on Line C of the metro, which constitute a unique archaeological museum. During the excavations, significant archaeological finds came to light, such as ceramic vessels, plates, wells, and ruins of Roman baths, which are exhibited behind glass cases. The Line C project, costing around 7 billion euros, is characterized by the continuous coexistence of infrastructure and cultural heritage. Extensive archaeological research caused delays, as the line passes through layers of three thousand years of history. In addition to the station next to the Colosseum, the Porta Metronia station was also inaugurated, where a 2nd-century AD barracks and a residence with preserved frescoes and mosaics were discovered. A museum is expected to operate in the latter station in the future. More than 500,000 archaeological objects have already been found along Line C. Engineers used pioneering techniques to protect them, such as soil freezing and special “sacrificial diaphragms”. The completion of Line C is expected in 2035, with a total length of 29 kilometers and the capacity to transport 800,000 passengers daily.