The crystal clear lakes under the Caelian

In the bowels of the Caelian Hill, leaving behind the sixteenth-century Casina Vignola Boccapaduli originally erected between the cloisters of S. Balbina and S. Saba, right next to the Antiquarium Comunale recently reopened to house numerous stone materials, we reach the Basilica of Saints John and Paul. Saba, right next to the recently reopened Antiquarium Comunale (Municipal Antiquarium) to house numerous stone materials, one arrives at the Basilica of Saints John and Paul: it is right under the adjoining monastery, in fact, that after wearing a helmet one can descend to a depth of seven metres and explore the artificial quarry in lime tufa drilled around the 5th century. Already depicted by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, this ravine located where the platform that was supposed to support the Temple of Claudius commissioned by his wife and prolonged poisoner (with mushrooms) Agrippina - it would only have been built by Vespasian, rather than Nero, and on a much smaller scale - teems with speleological surprises. Amidst crystal-clear aquifer lakes, vaults carpeted with stalactites, made brilliant by accumulations of calcium solids, under a ceiling bearing the traces left by pickaxe blows, one advances with the aid of torches for 500 metres into what was also used as an air-raid shelter, encountering the unique and rare spider-cavelet. This is one of the experiences that can also be had in the company of Imago Artis, a team of cultured and sensitive artistic disseminators, capable of bringing to light secret masterpieces, including streets and houses concealed beneath the Aventine dwellings.