There's A Secret Archaeological Site Under Rome's Trevi Fountain — And You Can Visit It, Too!

One of Rome's hidden gems has been hiding right under the noses of millions of tourists — at an archaeological site under the Trevi Fountain.

By: JESSICA POITEVIEN Published: Sep 15, 2021 12:01 PM IST

There's A Secret Archaeological Site Under Rome's Trevi Fountain — And You Can Visit It, Too! — Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock

In a city as old and large as Rome, there’s bound to be interesting nooks and crannies that fly under the radar. As it turns out, one of those semi-secret spots has been hiding right under the noses of millions of tourists — beneath the Trevi Fountain, to be exact. By Jessica Poitevien

Federica, the local tour guide behind the Instagram account @livevirtualguide, recently surprised her followers with a video showing a little-known attraction that takes visitors to the area underneath the Trevi Fountain in Rome.

Trevi Fountain in Rome — Credit: Francesco Rotondo/Courtesy of Vicus Caprarius

Vicus Caprarius, known as the City of Water, is an ancient Roman apartment complex located beneath the city’s Trevi district, including its famed fountain. The archaeological site dates back to the first century but wasn’t discovered until the late 1990s.

Today, visitors can head to the underground site for a glimpse at the homes of ancient upper-class Romans. The space also displays examples of the hundreds of artefacts that were found during excavation, including terracotta figurines, African pottery, mosaic tiles, and over 800 coins.

What makes this hidden gem particularly special, however, is the water that runs through it. At Vicus Caprarius, visitors will find pools that still fill with water, thanks to the Aqua Virgo, one of the 11 aqueducts of ancient Rome. This aqueduct is also the one that feeds into the Trevi Fountain, meaning the water you see in Vicus Caprarius will eventually make its way to the fountain for tourists to throw their coins in.

Tickets for this archaeological site are only EUR 4 (INR 347). For more information on how to visit, check out the official website. For a glimpse on what you can expect to find, be sure to check out Federica’s video here. She also offers live virtual tours around other parts of Rome through her tour guide business, so you can experience Rome like a local from the comfort of your home.

Jessica Poitevien is a Travel + Leisure contributor currently based in South Florida, but she’s always on the lookout for her next adventure. Besides traveling, she loves baking, talking to strangers, and taking long walks on the beach. Follow her adventures on Instagram.