Rome underground hidden temples, ruins, and secret basilicas | San Clemente Basilica
Description
Beneath Rome: Discover San Clemente with Your Audio Guide
Self-guided audio tour available in English, Italian, Spanish, French, and German
Step away from the busy streets near the Colosseum and unlock one of Rome’s most astonishing hidden wonders — the Basilica of San Clemente, a true underground time capsule just waiting to be explored.
With your audio guide in hand, you’ll journey deep below the modern city, layer by layer, uncovering a secret world that most visitors never see.
Begin at the surface, in the serene beauty of the 12th-century basilica, where golden mosaics and ancient marble welcome you. Then descend through time to a 4th-century early Christian church, preserved beneath your feet like a buried memory. Finally, reach the deepest level — a 1st-century Roman home and a mysterious Mithraic temple, where secret pagan rites were once performed by candlelight.
Along the way, your audio guide will bring each level to life with immersive storytelling, historical context, and fascinating legends — all narrated with clarity and warmth in the language of your choice.
Take your time. Pause, reflect, and absorb the silence of the past. This self-guided format gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace, without crowds or schedules.
San Clemente isn’t just another church. It’s a vertical journey through 2,000 years of Roman history, where you’ll discover how emperors, popes, and forgotten cults all left their mark, layer after incredible layer.
Download the audio guide to your smartphone and begin your adventure into one of Rome’s most unforgettable hidden treasures.
Included
- Audio guide available in five languages: English, Italian, Spanish, French, and German
- Downloadable audio files to use on your smartphone
- Full access to all three levels of the Basilica of San Clemente:
The 12th-century upper basilica
The 4th-century early Christian church
The 1st-century Roman house and Mithraic temple - Digital map with main points of interest
- Freedom to explore at your own pace, with no fixed schedule or group
- Customer support is available for technical or practical assistance
Excluded
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food and drinks
Gratuities (optional)
Transportation between sites (short walking distances apply)
To download and use the app, we recommend using a smartphone produced in 2020 or later, with the latest operating system for the best experience.
Older devices may experience issues with app compatibility or playback.
Headphones are recommended for optimal audio quality — bring your own.
Know before you go
- A fully charged smartphone with enough storage to download the audio guide
- Headphones or earbuds for the best listening experience
- Comfortable walking shoes, as the tour involves stairs and uneven surfaces
- A light jacket or sweater — the underground levels can be cool, even in summer
- Modest clothing, appropriate for visiting a religious site (no sleeveless tops or short shorts)
- Water, especially during warmer months
- Booking confirmation, either printed or on your phone