Rediscovery. When a young Roman inadvertently fell through a cleft in the Esquiline hillside at the end of the 15th century, he found himself in a strange cave or grotto filled with painted figures. Soon the young artists of Rome were having themselves let down on boards knotted to ropes to see for themselves.
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How was the Domus Aurea rediscovered?
Rediscovery. When a young Roman inadvertently fell through a cleft in the Esquiline hillside at the end of the 15th century, he found himself in a strange cave or grotto filled with painted figures. Soon the young artists of Rome were having themselves let down on boards knotted to ropes to see for themselves.
What happened to the Domus Aurea?
Nero didn’t get to enjoy the luxuries of the Domus Aurea for very long. He committed suicide in 68 AD, and within forty years this magnificent palace had disappeared. It was considered an embarrassment, and Nero’s successors were quick to fill in the ground and build over the palace.
What happened to Nero’s palace?
After 15 years of restoration work, part of the palace was opened to the public in 1999; however, heavy rains in 2006 weakened the structure and forced the site to close. It was later temporarily reopened, despite ongoing repair work.
Why was the Domus Aurea important?
Discovered around 1480, the Domus Aurea—Nero’s famed Golden Palace—was the major source of information on ancient Roman painting and decoration for Renaissance artists.
What was the purpose of the Domus Aurea?
The Domus Aurea was part of the project that Nero had devised to convert and transform Rome into a new city “Neropolis” following the Hellenistic model in the manner of Alexandria, this is, a city with orthogonal plane with squares and wide rectilinear streets.
What did the Domus Aurea look like?
There was a large pentagonal courtyard brightly decorated with glass mosaic which branched off into 15 separate rooms. One of these was the ‘room of the Golden Vault’ with its gilded ceiling, marble panelling and grand picture from Greek mythology of Zeus abducting Ganymede.
What was Domus Aurea used for?
Where is Nero buried?
Mausoleum of the Domitii AhenobarbiNero / Place of burial
What happened to Domus Aurea?
Domus Aurea. On October 28, 2016 | 0 Comments. In 64 AD most of the centre of Rome was destroyed in an enormous fire which started in the area of the Circus Maximus and reached the top of the Esquiline.
Why visit Nero’s Domus Aurea?
Visiting Nero’s Domus Aurea is a uniquely enriching experience. Don’t miss it on your next visit to Rome. Address: Via della Domus Aurea, 1, 00184 Rome.
How do I get to the Domus Aurea in Rome?
Address: Via della Domus Aurea, 1, 00184 Rome. Enter the gates, walk up the hill, make the first left, and you’ll find the site entrance. It’s not very well sign posted.
What was the decoration of Domus Aurea?
Domus Aurea. The decoration of the interiors made use of all kinds of precious materials: gold and ivory were everywhere, and the flowers in the paintings were set with precious stones. The ceilings of the banqueting halls were fitted with sliding panels of ivory, so that flowers and perfumes could be scattered onto the diners from above.