The Domus Aurea, or Golden Palace of Nero, is one of the most fascinating sites in subterranean Rome that is still overshadowed by more famous monuments. This monumental 300-room palace complex was built on the orders of Emperor Nero after the great fire of Rome in 64 AD. The name 'Golden Palace' is no accident - the walls were covered with gold, ivory and precious stones, and a huge statue of the emperor, the Colossus Neronis, stood at the entrance.

The history of the place is as fascinating as its architecture. After Nero's death, the palace was abandoned and deliberately buried by successive emperors who wanted to erase the memory of the controversial ruler. It remained hidden underground for centuries, until an accidental discovery in the 16th century, when a young Roman fell into a cave that turned out to be one of the palace's rooms. The discovery caused a sensation among Renaissance artists, including Raphael and Michelangelo, who lowered themselves down on ropes to study the preserved frescoes.

Today, the Domus Aurea is an active archaeological site, where restoration work continues uninterrupted. Visitors can don a helmet and explore this underground wonder with a professional guide. Particularly impressive are the preserved frescoes depicting fantastic images of people and animals, which gave rise to the so-called 'grotesque art.' The walls of the palace are also decorated with paintings depicting mythological scenes and landscapes, which, despite the passage of time, still impress with their intensity of color.

Not far from the city center rises the mysterious Torre della Scimmia (Tower of the Monkey), a medieval structure that, although not of ancient origin, is linked to one of Rome's most intriguing legends. This inconspicuous 13th century tower is hidden among narrow streets, away from the main tourist routes. Its name derives from a fascinating tale that has been circulating among the people of Rome for centuries.

According to legend, one day a monkey kidnapped an infant from the home of the Portoghesi family and climbed to the top of the tower with it. The distraught parents prayed fervently to the Virgin Mary for rescue. In answer to their prayers, they received divine inspiration to light a candle in the tower window. The light attracted a monkey, which returned the child safely. Out of gratitude, the family vowed that the candle in the tower window would burn forever - a tradition that is said to continue to this day.

The Monkey Tower is a fascinating example of Rome's medieval defensive architecture and is a reminder of a time when the city was divided between rival aristocratic families. Although you can't go inside, its distinctive silhouette and the legend associated with it make it well worth finding while strolling through the less-traveled corners of the city.

Palatine, one of the seven hills of Rome, is the place where, according to legend, Romulus founded the city in 753 BC. Although it is more frequently visited than some of the other sights on this list, many of its fascinating corners remain undiscovered by the average tourist. It was here that the residences of Roman emperors were located, and today we can admire the impressive ruins of the palaces of Augustus, Tiberius and Domitian.

Particularly noteworthy is the Domus Flavia - the official part of Domitian's palace, where audiences and state ceremonies were held. Preserved fragments of marble floors and columns give an idea of the splendor with which the Roman rulers surrounded themselves. Less well known, but equally fascinating, is the Domus Augustana - a private part of the palace complex with inner courtyards and fountains, where emperors relaxed away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Palatine also hides mysterious underground passageways and crypts that rarely make it onto standard tours. One such place is the Cryptoporticus, a semi-subterranean corridor that served as a cool passage in hot weather. Another fascinating feature is the Palatine Stadium - Emperor Domitian's private racetrack, which was abandoned at the end of the fifth century, coinciding with the rise of Christianity.

The Palatine offers a spectacular view of the Roman Forum - the political, religious and commercial heart of ancient Rome. Although the Forum is one of the city's main attractions, many of its corners remain undiscovered by tourists rushing between the Colosseum and the Capitoline Hill. Take the time to explore the less frequented parts of this sprawling complex.

One such site is Lacus Curtius, a mysterious well associated with the legend of the Roman hero Marcus Curtius, who sacrificed his life by throwing himself into the abyss to save the city. Another fascinating but often overlooked site is Lapis Niger (Black Stone), an ancient shrine with an inscription in archaic Latin, believed to be one of the oldest places of worship in Rome.

The Roman Forum is also the place to admire Trajan's Column, a monumental statue erected in 113 AD to commemorate Emperor Trajan's victory over the Dacians. This 30-meter-high column is covered with a 200-meter-long spiral relief depicting scenes from the Dacian wars. The relief is an invaluable source of knowledge about the Roman army, its weaponry, tactics and the daily life of the soldiers.

Trajan's Column is a true masterpiece of narrative art - it tells the story chronologically, from the preparations for war, through the battles, to the final victory. Particularly impressive are the scenes depicting the construction of a bridge over the Danube by Roman engineers - a testament to the Empire's advanced technology. The column was originally crowned by a statue of Emperor Trajan, which was replaced by a statue of St. Peter in the Middle Ages.

It is worth knowing that inside the column there is a spiral staircase leading to the top, although it is not currently open to the public. According to tradition, at the base of the column rested the ashes of Emperor Trajan, making it not only a monument, but also a mausoleum. Trajan's column became the model for later similar monuments, including the Column of Marcus Aurelius, also located in Rome, and the Column of Napoleon in Place Vendôme in Paris.

On the outskirts of Rome, away from the crowded attractions of the center, is one of the best-preserved monuments from the early Christian period - the Mausoleum of Constance. This circular building from the 4th century AD was erected as the burial place of Constance, daughter of Emperor Constantine the Great, who was the first ruler of Rome to legalize Christianity. The mausoleum is a fascinating example of the transition from pagan to Christian art and is one of the most important monuments from this pivotal period in European history.

The structure takes the form of a rotunda, 22.5 meters in diameter, surrounded by 12 pairs of gray granite columns that support a dome. Originally, the mausoleum was part of a larger complex that included the Basilica of St. Agnes, built at the same time. The basilica has not survived to the present day, but the mausoleum has been preserved in excellent condition, making it a unique testimony to late imperial architecture.

The interior of the mausoleum impresses with the rich mosaic decoration that covers the bypass vault. The mosaics depict scenes of grape harvesting and wine making, which in a Christian context symbolize the Eucharist, but also allude to the pagan cult of Bacchus. This ambiguity is characteristic of art from a transitional period, when Christianity was just beginning to dominate Roman culture.

Of particular interest are mosaics depicting putti (cupids) picking grapes and squeezing the juice in presses - these motifs have roots in pagan art, but were adapted to the new religion. Other mosaics show birds, fruits and geometric patterns, creating the impression of a lush garden of paradise. The color scheme of the mosaics is extremely vivid, with dominant shades of blue, green and gold.

The Mausoleum of Constance was transformed into the church of Santa Costanza in the 13th century, which contributed to its preservation. Today it is not only an archaeological monument, but also a religious site. Unlike the crowded attractions of Rome's center, here you can enjoy ancient architecture and art in peace, often being the only visitor.

Comparing all the places described, it is worth noting their diversity and unique character. The Domus Aurea offers a fascinating journey back to the time of the eccentric Nero and is an active archaeological site where work is still ongoing. The Torre della Scimmia, while not dating back to ancient times, provides insight into medieval Rome and its fascinating legends. The Palatine and Roman Forum are sprawling complexes where you can spend hours exploring lesser-known corners of the heart of the ancient empire. Trajan's Column impresses with its precision workmanship and wealth of historical detail, serving as a kind of 'picture book' of Roman conquests. The Mausoleum of Constance, on the other hand, takes us back to the fascinating transitional period between paganism and Christianity.

In terms of accessibility, the Mausoleum of Constance is the furthest from the center, located on the outskirts of the city, but this is compensated for by fewer tourists. The Domus Aurea requires advance reservations and is only accessible with a guide, but offers the unique experience of exploring an underground palace. The Palatine, Roman Forum and Trajan's Column are located in the historical center and can be visited in one tour, although it is worth reserving a full day for this. Torre della Scimmia can only be seen from the outside, but its exploration through the maze of streets can be a fascinating adventure in itself.

Whichever route you choose, these lesser-known ancient ruins of Rome offer an authentic experience of interacting with history, away from the tourist crowds, allowing you to better understand the fascinating past of the Eternal City.