Discover Marino: Underground History and Italian Urban Culture

Underground Marino consists of an extensive network of partially interconnected caves. It lies approximately 12 meters below street level and extends for dozens of kilometers beneath the historic center. Access is only possible with prior reservation. If you would like to explore historic sites from an unusual spatial perspective, you should plan this visit accordingly.

Ancient Imagery in the Mithraeum

The Mithraeum of Marino is one of only three Mithraea in Italy with a painted scene depicting the Mithraic mysteries. The image was executed in encaustic directly on the plaster of the cistern. Created in the 2nd century AD, the painting shows Mithras killing a white bull. This site is particularly interesting if you would like to consider ancient religion, painting and the material execution of historic images together.

Church, Cistern and Museum

The Museo Civico Umberto Mastroianni is located in the former Church of Santa Lucia. The church was built over a Roman cistern dating from the 1st or 2nd century AD. In the museum, you can see classical statues, funerary stelae, sarcophagi, inscriptions and a fragment of a chancel screen. Sacred space, Roman construction techniques and ancient artefacts are directly connected thematically here.

Routes and Urban Landmarks

Via del Riccio runs through the historic center of Marino. You can therefore use it as a concrete reference point when examining the structure of the town, without limiting your historical exploration to individual buildings. The Fontana dei Mori was commissioned in 1632 to celebrate Marcantonio II Colonna's victory in the Battle of Lepanto and became a symbol of Marino. Both facts offer different approaches to the history of the town: one through its route, the other through a defining urban landmark.

Quarries and Winemaking

The quarries of Cave di Peperino operated from Roman times until 1960. The Museo del Vino is a private collection of winemaking and viticulture equipment typical of Marino and the Castelli Romani, used until a few decades ago. Anyone interested in regional materials and the development of winemaking will find these two topics a factual complement to Marino's sacred and ancient history.

Marino as a Base for Planning Your Trip

The Basilica of San Barnaba Apostolo was built through the devotion of the Colonna family and is one of the largest and most important churches in its diocese. When choosing a hotel in Marino, you can use your travel interests as a guide: ancient artefacts, ecclesiastical architecture, underground spaces, routes through the historic center or winemaking. This keeps your accommodation decision focused on the specific topics you would like to explore in greater depth during your stay.

More Destinations for Your Trip to Italy

For further travel planning, you can also consider Morlupo, Lido Dei Pini, Rignano Flaminio, Villanova, Ponzano Romano, Aranova, Velletri and Gerano.

For the main travel overview: Rome.