Discover hidden Roman sites that are largely ignored by the travel guides.
There are plenty of famous Roman sites. From the Colosseum to Pompeii, they have become some of the most iconic historic sites in the world. Yet, beyond the popular tourist attractions lie far more remnants of Ancient Rome, many of them just as impressive as those to which the crowds flock, if not more so.
In this article, we take a look at just some of the stunning hidden Roman sites still viewable today. Click here to view a full Roman sites search on our interactive map (new window).
Ostia Antica
Although only half an hour by train from Rome itself, relatively few people know of the wonders of Ostia Antica. This very well preserved Ancient Roman site was Rome’s thriving port from at least the fourth century BC. Today, visitors can wonder through its magnificent sites, including a theatre, a baths complex, temples, a forum and more. Easily as impressive as Pompeii, it has neither the restrictions nor the crowds and allows a serenity unparalleled by more famous Roman ruins. Truly a gem amongst the world’s hidden Roman sites.
Qasr Bashir
Out of the depths of the Jordanian desert rise the largely intact walls of Qasr Bashir (pictured above), an Ancient Roman fortress forgotten by time. Up to two storeys in height in places, Qasr Bashir is probably one of the best preserved, but least known, Ancient Roman forts in the world and was probably garrisoned by an auxiliary cavalry unit intent on protecting this area of the Roman frontier.
Temple of Augustus – Barcelona
Located in a small medieval courtyard in Barcelona’s backstreets, a set of standing Doric columns are a pretty reminder of the first century AD Temple of Augustus, which once stood here.
Mons Claudianus – Egyptian Desert
This hidden Roman site was where the Romans gathered materials to build some of the most famous of their buildings and monuments, including the Pantheon. However, today Mons Claudianus lies largely ignored in the Egyptian desert. The remains of this former quarry can still be seen, including fallen columns, an unfinished temple and even a fort.
Crypte Archeologique - Paris
Hordes of tourists pass by this Ancient Roman site every day, but few enter it. This is mostly due to the fact that, despite being right next to Notre Dame de Paris, the presence of the Crypte Archeologique de Paris is only indicated by a discreet staircase. The Crypte Archeologique de Paris is a fantastic subterranean museum of Ancient Roman Paris or “Lutetia”. Containing the ruins of whole streets, walls and other Ancient Roman sites, the Crypte Archeologique de Paris is a definite must-see for any history enthusiast visiting Paris.
Temple of Diana – Merida
Merida is brimming with Ancient Roman sites. Many of them, like the amphitheatre, are hard to miss. Yet the Temple of Diana is obscured by the many buildings which crowd around it. This first century sacred temple is very well preserved, owing to its incorporation into a sixteenth century palace. For those seeking to discover hidden Roman sites, this is a real find.
Mamertine Prison – Rome
The church of San Giuseppe dei Falegnami, near the Roman Forum, stands above what may have been one of Ancient Rome’s most feared institutions, the Mamertine Prison. Visitors can descend into the dark and dank depths of this once notorious prison to see the cells where Saint Peter is said to have created a spring and baptised his cellmates.
Arenes de Lutece – Paris
Once a vast arena able to seat up to 15,000 people, Arenes de Lutece was later destroyed by barbarians. Today, this hidden Roman site is a shadow of its former self, but is still one of the most important remnants of what was the Gallo-Roman settlement of Lutetia.
Rio Verde Roman Villa - Marbella
Nestled amidst the modern villas of Marbella are the remains of the first to second century AD Rio Verde Roman Villa, where visitors can see Ancient Roman mosaics. For those soaking up the sun in Marbella, this site is a fantastic way to take in an interesting historic site along the way.
Catacombs of Rome
Some of the best hidden Roman sites are located underground, particularly those of the early Christian catacombs. Rome is brimming with ancient catacombs, but few of these are open to the public. Amongst those that can be visited are the Catacombs of San Callisto and the St. Sebastian Catacombs, both located on Rome’s oldest road, Via Appia Antica, just outside the city. Also on Via Appia antica are other Ancient Roman sites such as the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella, Villa Dei Quintilli and the Circus of Maxentius.
Welwyn Roman Baths
So obscure it’s got a motorway on top of it, this hidden Roman site is not an easy one to spot. Housing the remains of a third-century AD Roman bathhouse and originally part of a larger Roman Villa, the Welwyn Roman Baths are in an underground vault built nine metres below the A1 motorway.
Glanum
Nestled amongst the trees in the small French town of Saint-Remy-de-Provence is Glanum. Once a thriving Roman settlement, the ruins at Glanum date back to the first century BC and contain residential, public and triumphal ruins, including an 18 metre-high family memorial thought to date back to 30BC and probably the best preserved monument of its kind.
These are just some of the fantastic hidden Ancient Roman sites around the globe. For more great historic sites around the world as well as further details about these sites, visit our explore page.
