Jan Bartek – AncientPages.com –\u00a0<\/strong>The House of the Griffins (Casa dei Grifi), one of the best-preserved ancient Roman homes, is now accessible to the public for the first time. The name \u201cCasa dei Grifi\u201d originates from a decorative motif featuring griffins\u2014mythological creatures depicted with the body of a lion and the wings and head of an eagle. This distinctive decoration can be seen in one of the main underground rooms, giving the site its unique name.<\/p>\n Credit: Simona Murrone, Colosseum Archaeological Park<\/em><\/p>\n This 2,000-year-old subterranean residence is situated on Rome\u2019s Palatine Hill, close to the Colosseum. The area was historically significant, serving as the location for temples and the homes of prominent citizens during Rome\u2019s Republican era, which spanned from 509 B.C. to 27 B.C. With the advent of the Roman Empire, Palatine Hill became an aristocratic district as new palaces were constructed over earlier residences.<\/p>\n The House of the Griffins became concealed underground when Emperor Domitian constructed his palace above it in the first century A.D. As a result, this ancient site remained hidden from view for centuries<\/p>\n The underground house was discovered in the 19th century by Italian archaeologist Giacomo Boni. Remarkably well-preserved, its murals remained concealed beneath layers of dirt accumulated over centuries.<\/p>\n You don\u2019t need to travel to Rome to visit the House of the Griffins; experience it\u2014virtual tours are available.<\/p>\n Credit: Simona Murrone, Colosseum Archaeological Park<\/em><\/p>\n Following over two millennia and a comprehensive restoration effort led by the Colosseum Archaeological Park in 2024, visitors can now explore this historic site starting March 3. The restoration project focused on reinforcing structural stability and conserving wall paintings by cleaning surfaces and reviving their original colors and details.<\/p>\n Additionally, new lighting and audiovisual systems have been installed to enhance guided tours both onsite and virtually.<\/p>\n \u201cThe restoration and consolidation involved an integrated intervention, including 3D photogrammetric surveys and restoration of the painted surfaces. Thanks to the allocated funds, it was possible to launch a scientific study and conservation project for the monument, both for its painted surfaces and its structure, given the evident signs of movement in the masonry that occurred in ancient times, resulting in gaps in the walls, plaster loss, and differences in level in the mosaic floor.<\/p>\n In the following months, the lighting enhancement and audiovisual system for the real-time live tour, designed by Federica Rinaldi with technical supervision from Stefano Borghini, were completed, thanks to the sponsorship of Comoli Ferrari, allowing the site to remain permanently open,” the Colosseum Archaeological Park’s director, Simone Quilici, said in a press release<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Never-Before-Seen](\"https:\/\/www.ancientpages.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/houseofthegriffins.jpg\")
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