The Domus Aurea has been closed for several years due to dangerous soil situation -- but there have been some mentions that it might reopen. Any idea if it has, or what is visible and from which street vantage point? Thanks

It hasn't reopened, but I read some time ago that there was a possibility parts of the interior might be opened temporarily from July to September of 2014. I can't find any official confirmation of this, and we're getting close to July, so I wouldn't be very confident that it will happen.

The only thing visible from the street is a mound. In fact, the Domus was discovered by people who entered from above,in the 16th century, as if they were speleologists. They considered the space to be a cave or "grotta".

The word "grotesque" derives from the description people gave to the strange paintings and decorations they found on the underground ceilings. Many artists, including Michelangelo, Raphael, and Pinturicchio, had themselves lowered into the great space in order to examine the decorations. These paintings and stuccos had a great influence on the art of the Renaissance.

Nero was one of the first Romans to use mosaics on the walls and ceilings of rooms; before they had mostly been used on floors. This had a great influence on early Christian art, and is the reason why so many very early churches are decorated with beautiful ancient mosaics.

Bvienci -- this is fascinating. Thank you very much for that detail.

<<<...or what is visible and from which street vantage point?>>>

The Domus Aurea was the huge entire complex what we call the "Domus Aurea" is just one structure of it which is the coolest that has been excavated.
Cool parts of this on the Palatine Hill have also been excavated (his palace) but they are closed to the public.
There are a few concrete/rubble foundation remains scattered about but nothing really cool.

Nero's Nymphaeum on the Via Claudia and this below are really about the only visible remains you can see along with some long concrete/rubble foundations for his porticoed elevated street in the Forum and some foundation remains of the Temple of Venus and Roma IIRC.

http://ldmart315.edublogs.org/files/...ize-r0kjdm.jpg This lake or pool, or “stagnum,” was the focal point of Nero’s Villa. Suetonius describes the lake as: “An enormous pool, like a sea, was surrounded by buildings made to resemble cities, and by a landscape garden consisting of ploughed fields, vineyards, pastures, and woodlands".
The closed "Domus Aurea" is the large structure above the lake.

The circular structure in this photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/67417055@N00/11557100983 is the Meta Sudan a fountain put in by Domition a short time after the Colosseum was finished but those ===[] foundations around it are the remains of porticos from Nero's 'Golden House/Domus Aurea' that surrounded his "lake".
These would would be in the lower left corner |=____| of the model photo.

And nearby: In this photo the excavations in the lower left corner are of Emperor Augustus (Octavian) 'birth home' which was discovered a few years ago. http://www.flickr.com/photos/67417055@N00/11557100333
They always knew it was somewhere in that location and luckily they found it.

M34aggie

I was lucky to visit the domus on my 2005 trip. I took an English speaking tour with an archeologist. While it was cool and interesting there wasn' t too much to see. A few frescoes and a large beautiful but broken bowl.

Nero was not a popular guy so Trajan (if I remember my emperors correctly) destroyed his palace.

We visited it the first year it opened, in 1999. At that time, they had people who "accompanied" the visitors, but who were not guides, as they took great pains to emphasize. There was an audio tour, but it was hard to know what they tour was referring to. Our "minder" tried to point with a flashlight at the various points of interest being described, but since not everyone hit "play" at the same time, it was a rather frustrating experience.

There were some nice frescoes to see, and many interesting architectural features, but "nothing to write home about", as my mother used to say. There are much more beautiful ancient Roman frescoes in Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, from the villa of Livia, wife of the Emperor Augustus.

I toured Domus Aurea in 2003. I agree with Dayle, not too much to see. We were glad to be underground as it was during the infamous heat wave of 2003 when thousands of people died in Europe.

I'm sure I have some pictures somewhere or perhaps video. My project when I retire is to edit and upload Italy videos and pictures.

<<<There was an audio tour, but it was hard to know what they tour was referring to. Our "minder" tried to point with a flashlight at the various points of interest being described, but since not everyone hit "play" at the same time, it was a rather frustrating experience.>>>

True, my 1st tour was more like just a walk-thru because I lost my place in the audioguide early on, I believe I accidentally hit 'fast forward', 'reverse' or just lost my place.

This is off topic, but may I suggest a tour of Palazzo Valentini? Nothing as extensive as the Domus Aurea, but really fascinating to see and hear about.

I too was lucky enough to visit Domus Aurea and I'm glad I did, but I came away from the Palazzo Valentini tour with a better understanding of what I was looking at. And as far as the cool factor goes, it's uber cool.

Tuscsnlifeedit -- Love this idea. All over it! Thanks.