The Domus Aurea is a beautiful palace located just over the road from the Colosseum. This exceptional palace stretches over the Palatine, Oppian and Caelian Hills.

It is said that the Roman Emperor Nero built this palace as a gift to himself. It was given its nickname ‘the Golden House’, from its gold façade. The interior composed of frescoed banqueting halls, baths, terraces, rooms and corridors, which were all, decorated with gold, silver and valuable stone.

After Nero’s death, the palace and its surroundings were built over and packed with earth. All of its marbles and gems were taken away and many of its halls were walled in when Trajan’s baths were built.

Unfortunately, due to issues concerning the safety of the Domus Aurea, only part of its building is open to the public.