In addition to the Coliseum and the Roman Forum , holidaymaker exploring Rome and Italy ’s greater Lazio region can now be among the first public visitors to ever step inside an crucial ancient tomb . As Lonely Planetreports , the two - narration hurdle , known as the Barberini Tomb , dates back to the 2d century BCE . After receive a much - needed facelift , it ’s now open to history lovers for the very first metre .
During the mid-19th hundred , scholarsexcavateda groupof rarify Roman tombs at the ancient Italian city ofPraeneste , also know as Palestrina . Situated along the Via Latina , an important Roman road , they contained fine furniture , prosperous jewelry , and other grand token . These complex body part included the Barberini Tomb , which is also touch to as the Corneli Tomb . Today , it ’s the only one among this mathematical group that ’s still largely intact .
The Barberini Tomb received its name from the princely Barberini family , who were the last known landowner of the fence in estate . ( Today , this land is part of a public archaeological parking area . ) It ’s well preserved “ because through the centuries it was always used as a tax shelter for Agriculture Department and sheep - land purpose , up through the 1800s , " said Francesca Montella , the archeologist in guardianship of the Barberini Tomb ’s restoration , allot tothe Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata .
In addition to its two stories , the Barberini Tomb contains an undergroundfunerary chamberwith a mosaic level , which once contain a stunning papist sarcophagus . ( It was be active to the Vatican Museums during the 1700s . ) There are also fresco portraying animals , plants , and mythologic figures .
Conservators pass two year restore the Barberini Tomb , a physical process that included installing a lighting organisation and reconstruct its staircase and collapsed ground flooring . The nearly $ 300,000 project will be completed sometime in 2018 , but in November the tomb open to visitor , who can now make reservations to take a guided tour of the building .
[ h / tLonely Planet ]
