Palazzo Valentini Roman Domus

Beneath a sixteenth-century palace a few steps from Trajan's Column lie the remains of wealthy Roman houses with mosaic floors, heated baths and painted walls. Excavations here, still in the hands of the provincial administration that works in the building, opened the cellars to visitors, and the way they present them has made the visit one of Rome's most original. You walk along glass walkways above the rooms while projections, lighting and narration rebuild the walls, mosaics and furniture as they might have looked, so a patch of damaged floor becomes a dining room in front of you. The partner listing describes the entry as a multimedia experience with an audio guide for groups of up to fifteen and a duration of about ninety minutes, and gives the palace address on Foro Traiano. It also shows the site closed on Tuesdays and open the rest of the week from mid-morning to early evening, though you should check the date you want.

What makes it worth the time is that the technology actually works. Many multimedia museum visits feel like gimmicks, but here the projections are timed to the walk, so that when you reach a room the lights come up and the story unfolds. It is a good way to understand how a Roman house was laid out and decorated, and the combination of narrative and architecture is easy to follow even if you know little about ancient Rome.

The ground floor of the palace remains an office building, so this is a visit entirely in the cellars.

The listing does not state languages for the audio guide, so confirm on the booking page. Groups are small, which means advance booking is wise, especially in busy seasons. The cellar is cool and the glass walkway is easy to follow, but there are steps, so those with mobility issues should check with the supplier first. Children old enough to handle headphones enjoy the visual effects, though ninety minutes is long for the very young.

Location is the main bonus. Palazzo Valentini sits near Piazza Venezia, a short walk from the Capitoline Museums, the Imperial Forums and Trajan's Market, so it fits into a day of ancient Rome on foot. A good plan is the Forum and Colosseum in the morning, lunch near Monti, and this in the late afternoon when your feet need a seat of sorts.

It also suits a rainy day or a hot afternoon, because it is entirely indoors and underground. If you like your history interpreted rather than just displayed, put it on your list. One more point in its favor is the pacing.

The route is a single, well-signed loop, so you do not need to plan or choose, and the audio keeps time with the projections, so you rarely feel rushed or left behind. Travelers who feel they have had enough of crowded ruins often find this an unexpectedly restful hour, and photographers should note that the low light and glass floors make pictures difficult, so it is better to look than to shoot. Allow a little time before or after for the square outside, which is dominated by the column of Trajan and the church domes beside it, and which gives a feel for how crowded this part of imperial Rome once was.