Parco di Colle Oppio (Colle Oppio Park), Rome

When visiting Rome, be sure not to overlook the Esquiline Hill, the largest of the city's seven hills, boasting the picturesque Colle Oppio park, located near the Colosseum. Within this expansive 11-hectare area, you will encounter the ruins of the Baths of Trajan. This impressive complex once comprised various pools, including warm, hot, and cool baths, along with gymnasia, changing rooms, and two libraries. While the southwest exedra and the colossal underground cistern known as the "seven rooms" have withstood the test of time, the Baths ceased their operations around 537 when the city's aqueducts were destroyed by the Goths. The cistern, which stored a staggering 8 million liters of water, was once maintained by slaves.

Another interesting ruin nestled in the park is the renowned Domus Aurea, also known as the Golden House. Commissioned by Emperor Nero after the Great Fire ravaged the surrounding area in 64 AD, this extravagant palace stood amidst vast tracts of land where Nero had an artificial lake and a forest created. Following Nero's death in 68 AD, the lake was drained, making way for the construction of the iconic Colosseum. The Domus Aurea itself was eventually filled with soil, and various structures, including the Baths of Trajan, the Baths of Titus, and a temple dedicated to Venus, were erected above it.

The buried remnants of Nero's opulent palace were rediscovered during the 15th century, drawing the admiration of renowned artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael, who ventured underground to marvel at the frescoes that adorned the chambers. Sadly, exposure to air and water over the years resulted in significant damage. However, excavations in 2009 unveiled a remarkable find-a rotating banquet hall and its intricate mechanism were unearthed, adding to the intrigue surrounding this archaeological site.