House of Augustus — Attraction in Rome

Be very careful if you don’t speak Italian! It might sound surreal but the attendant trapped us there and would not let us leave.

When we were about to enter, the lady there told us that there is currently a tour in Italian (a voice-over presentation) and we had to follow along the lights. We made it clear that we do not speak Italian but she let us enter regardless. We assumed that since she let us enter we could walk around but be quiet and mindful about it. We did not think that it was necessary for us to stay until the end of a tour in a language we made clear we did not understand. At not point did she mention that it was mandatory to listen to the voice-over tour and it was forbidden to leave until it’s over.

When we tried to quietly leave she ran after us and told us that we have to stay on the path of the guiding lights and listen to the voice-over tour-we didn’t know what to make of it so we just waited. When the tour took us out to an exterior part we tried to quietly leave again but she BLOCKED our exit and told us that we can’t leave until the tour is over. Moreover, she said that she mentioned in the beginning that the tour is in Italian and we agreed to stay and not leave. We meant no disrespect and tried to tell her that she did not mention this in the beginning and we just wanted to leave. Regardless, she posted her self in front of us together with her co-worker and did not let us go, after which she started to angrily speak in Italian with her co-worker.

After the voice-over finished she moved to the side and we left. Never in my life have I felt so distressed and be refused to leave a place, on my time and on my own money that I payed. It was a very bad experience that I wish upon no one.

All the other attending staff was incredibly nice and accommodating and I appreciate their hard work...

This is probably the best example of an Imperial Roman Villa we have ever found. You can access it only with a 'Super Site' ticket which is bought as an upgrade to the Forum ticket, but the $$ is not much. There are numerous painted rooms, but the last ones that have been restored will leave you amazed. Some rooms are protected by glass and in a controlled atmosphere, in others you can go inside and admire original colors that look fairly freshly painted. In addition to the interior of the Villa, there are the outbuildings like baths, & storage. (I was impressed with the ancient plumbing arrangements on display as much as anything . . ) Courteous, attentive and prepared staff are there also to answer your questions or you can sit down & watch the introductory video. This Villa complex should stay on your wish list if you're...

Lo so...mi ripeterò...ma è un posto unico. Pensavo che la Domus Aurea avesse il primato delle emozioni e invece questo luogo, riaperto da poco nel suo massimo splendore, mi ha lasciato a bocca aperta. Si accede solo con biglietto full experience o supplemento super (e non vedo perché chi visita il parco archeologico non dovrebbe acquistare questa opzione, si tratta di una differenza irrisoria) e regala un percorso arricchito dalla multimedialità assolutamente fantastico...nel senso proprio della parola. Si parte con la visione di un video introduttivo - si entra a piccoli gruppi - che prosegue poi scandendo i tempi della visita che ci porta in vari ambienti e accompagna la visione delle meraviglie che vi troverete regalandovi ricostruzioni tridimensionali, proiezioni, highlights, dettagli e tutto ciò che vi aiuterà a capire cosa state ammirando e come avrebbe dovuto essere. Le stanze dipinte non sono due, sono molteplici e le ultime restaurate vi lasceranno a bocca aperta. Guardate i soffitti, ammirate i dettagli, cercate le figure, individuate i giochi prospettici. Grazie ai proiettori potrete vedere ambienti ricostruiti alla perfezione. Alcuni locali sono protetti da vetri e in atmosfera controllata, in altri potrete entrare e ammirare da vicino colori che neanche uno schermo a led potrebbe regalarvi. Personale cortese, attento e preparato (venite in qualche modo guidati nello spostamento tra i vari ambienti durante il percorso di visita). Non si può e non si deve assolutamente perdere questa visita....sono sicuro che mi ringrazierete se seguirete il mio consiglio (non dico di dire che vi ha mandato Roberto ma ricordatevene dopo che sarete rimasti con la mascella slogata per l'emozione). Guardate le foto e i video che ho postato e data un'occhiata a tutte le recensioni sul foro e le altre meraviglie di Roma che ho fatto. E se sono stato utile...