Tourists visit ancient Rome via livestream tours

For the first time, the general public can virtually visit the House of the Griffins and its newly restored frescoes, including the decoration that gives the home its name: An arched lunette fresco featuring two griffins - half-eagle, half-lion mythological creatures

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One of the best-preserved ancient Roman homes on the Palatine Hill is opening to the public for the first time, albeit via a livestreamed tour of its hard-to-reach underground frescoes and mosaics.

The House of the Griffins was first discovered during the excavations in the early 20th century of the Palatine Hill, the verdant hill that rises up from the Roman Forum and dominates views of central Rome today with its striking red brick ruins.

The hill, located just off the Colosseum, was known for temples and homes of leading citizens during Rome’s Republican era, which is traditionally dated from 509 BC to 27 BC. It became the aristocratic quarter during the Roman Empire that followed, when new palaces were built on top of the older homes.