One of Rome’s most mysterious places, the underground Basilica of Porta Maggiore is being restored and partially reopened to the public.  A place of worship deliberately built underground in the 1st century AD, the Basilica was, according to some, the seat of magical rituals; for others, it was the burial place of the wealthy family of the Statili, who ordered its construction; they are said to have been close to Emperor Augustus.

Because of these alleged magical rites, which celebrated life after death, Agrippina, Nero's mother, ordered Tito Statilio Tauro be taken to trial; according to legend, he committed suicide in 53 AD to avoid facing such shame. Located nine meters underground, with walls seven meters high, the Basilica was discovered by chance in 1917 during construction work for the train line Rome-Cassino.