Rome underground hidden temples, ruins, and secret basilicas | San Clemente Basilica
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.
What’s 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
Exclusions
- 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.
Please Note
- Public transportation nearby
- Smartphone and headphones required: To enjoy the audio guide, you will need a fully charged smartphone and a pair of headphones or earbuds are suggested.
- Internet access: We recommend downloading the audio files and digital map before your visit, especially if you do not have mobile data available.
- Entry ticket included: The price of the experience consists of admission to the Basilica of San Clemente and all its underground levels.
- Moderate walking and stairs: The tour involves walking on uneven surfaces and descending several staircases. Comfortable footwear is recommended.
- Not wheelchair accessible: Due to the archaeological structure and the underground layout, this experience is not suitable for visitors with limited mobility.
- Respectful clothing required: As the site is religious, appropriate attire is requested (no sleeveless tops or shorts above the knee).
- Quiet atmosphere: Please respect the sacred and historical nature of the site by keeping noise to a minimum.
- Opening Hours: Please check the official opening hours of the Basilica before your visit. Hours may vary on holidays or for special liturgical events.
What do I need to bring?
- 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
Cancellation policy
- We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 1 day or less before the event
- We will charge a cancellation fee of 0% if booking is cancelled 1000 days or less before the event
Basilica of San Clemente and Underground Levels
San Clemente Basilica: A Journey Through Time Beneath the Streets of Rome
Just a stone’s throw from the Colosseum lies one of Rome’s most astonishing hidden treasures: the Basilica of San Clemente, a place where history isn’t just told — it’s layered beneath your feet.
This extraordinary site offers a three-level journey through time, descending from the present day back to the first century. At street level, the 12th-century basilica welcomes you with stunning medieval mosaics, marble columns, and a serene spiritual atmosphere.
But the real magic begins as you go below.
The first underground level reveals a 4th-century early Christian basilica, which had been long buried and forgotten. Its faded frescoes, ancient altar, and solemn architecture whisper stories of a Rome transitioning from empire to faith.
Descend further, and you’ll uncover an even older world: a 1st-century Roman complex, complete with a pagan temple dedicated to the god Mithras. Here, in the dimly lit chambers where mysterious rites once took place, history comes alive in the silence. You’ll also find remnants of Roman homes and a still-running aqueduct — proof that beneath Rome’s surface, the past still flows.
San Clemente isn’t just a church — it’s a living time capsule. A place where paganism, Christianity, and imperial Rome all coexist, layered one atop the other in a uniquely immersive experience.
To visit San Clemente is to walk through 2,000 years of Roman history in a single staircase — a true archaeological and spiritual journey beneath the Eternal City.
You can start this experience at the following places.
Meeting/Starting Point
Via Labicana 96, 00184 Roma, IT
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25 years of experience
Tour in The City was founded in 1990 in response to the ever increasing demand for customized guided tours, in order to visit one of the most important art collections in the World, the eternal city Rome.
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Testimonials
Hear From Our Happy Explorers!
Martin G
A hot visit to the Colosseum!
Had to collect tickets from a shop near to the Colosseum – lady there was most helpful in explaining where we needed to go and to download apps to our phones for the self audio guide (also gave us some free water with the heat!). Found the entrance easy and then enjoyed the tour – only issue was that the GPS signal wasnt great inside so it was difficult to sync the audio guide to what we were looking at. Took a break before doing the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum – we went on a very hot day and it was hard work walking around – make sure you have plenty of water!! Surfaces were very uneven – which is understandble considering its an ancient monument.
Martin G
FamilyOfFive
Amazing place to visit, weak audio guide
Such an amazing place to visit, it’s easy to understand why this is a must see! The sites were fantastic, but the audio tour was too generic. There were some interesting clips, but not enough about what we were looking at when we were at different points and too much generic history. In retrospect we would have got a lot more from a guide, but it was very nice to go at our own pace.
FamilyOfFive
Eva N
Unforgettable experience!
This tour was nothing short of amazing! From start to finish, everything was organized, engaging, and informative. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and brought the history of the Colosseum to life with fascinating stories, little-known facts, and a real passion for Ancient Rome.
The skip-the-line access was a huge plus—no waiting around in the hot sun! We also got upgraded for an Arena tour and got to explore areas that aren’t always open to the public, which made the experience feel exclusive and even more special.
Eva N
Poppy B
Very good customer service from Dolly
I was due to travel in August on this holiday however due to operational reasons, the tour may not have run and I was made aware straight away. I dealt with a women called Dolly and she offered me alternative options and we decided to refund the tour which was done promptly. Dolly gave me some brilliant advice and some useful insight to Rome.She was fab!
Poppy B
Tom P
Good day out
Really enjoyed the experience, can’t remember the tour guide’s name but he was very good. Very informative and detailed on the tour which kept me engaged about the history. It wasn’t as busy as usual which was also a pleasant experience. Highly enjoyable, many thanks.
Tom P
James C
Well worth it
Really well organised and our guide was great. Really informative and engaging. You wasn’t rushed and had a nice flow to it.
Would highly recommend this. Not sure you’d capture everything without the guide.
James C
Testimonials
Hear From Our Happy Explorers!
Martin G
A hot visit to the Colosseum!
Had to collect tickets from a shop near to the Colosseum – lady there was most helpful in explaining where we needed to go and to download apps to our phones for the self audio guide (also gave us some free water with the heat!). Found the entrance easy and then enjoyed the tour – only issue was that the GPS signal wasnt great inside so it was difficult to sync the audio guide to what we were looking at. Took a break before doing the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum – we went on a very hot day and it was hard work walking around – make sure you have plenty of water!! Surfaces were very uneven – which is understandble considering its an ancient monument.
Martin G
FamilyOfFive
Amazing place to visit, weak audio guide
Such an amazing place to visit, it’s easy to understand why this is a must see! The sites were fantastic, but the audio tour was too generic. There were some interesting clips, but not enough about what we were looking at when we were at different points and too much generic history. In retrospect we would have got a lot more from a guide, but it was very nice to go at our own pace.
FamilyOfFive
Eva N
Unforgettable experience!
This tour was nothing short of amazing! From start to finish, everything was organized, engaging, and informative. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and brought the history of the Colosseum to life with fascinating stories, little-known facts, and a real passion for Ancient Rome.
The skip-the-line access was a huge plus—no waiting around in the hot sun! We also got upgraded for an Arena tour and got to explore areas that aren’t always open to the public, which made the experience feel exclusive and even more special.
Eva N
Poppy B
Very good customer service from Dolly
I was due to travel in August on this holiday however due to operational reasons, the tour may not have run and I was made aware straight away. I dealt with a women called Dolly and she offered me alternative options and we decided to refund the tour which was done promptly. Dolly gave me some brilliant advice and some useful insight to Rome.She was fab!
Poppy B
Tom P
Good day out
Really enjoyed the experience, can’t remember the tour guide’s name but he was very good. Very informative and detailed on the tour which kept me engaged about the history. It wasn’t as busy as usual which was also a pleasant experience. Highly enjoyable, many thanks.
Tom P
James C
Well worth it
Really well organised and our guide was great. Really informative and engaging. You wasn’t rushed and had a nice flow to it.
Would highly recommend this. Not sure you’d capture everything without the guide.
James C
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