Not many people have heard of the Domus Aurea. Luckily, what does remain of the painted walls, mouldings and mosaics is enough to give you an idea of how elegant and palatial the Domus Aurea once was. The remnants of windowless corridors and rooms that have been plunged almost fully into darkness and don’t have any of their original marble opulence left. All that’s left of it now, though, is an underground excavation site. In fact, it once covered the whole area between Palatine Hill and Esquiline Hill (Oppian Hill). Calling it an imperial palace just doesn’t do justice to the sheer size of the complex. Well, it’s actually just the name given to the huge palace of Emperor Nero. I’m guessing you imagine a house adorned with glittering gold?

What comes to mind when you hear “Domus Aurea” or “Golden House”?