There is a vast network of underground tunnels of the Castelli Romani, hidden beneath layers of rock and cement, which hold a rich and intriguing history.
Just steps away from our family’s Palazzo Jacobini in Genzano di Roma, lies an entrance where you can descend into this silent, mysterious labyrinth.
Our private access and stairs into the grotte
I have always known of the grotte existence; my family has access and ownership to part of this network and my husband and my father-in-law periodically go down for checks. I initially believed the underground grotte was constructed in the 1700’s as part of the Antiche Cantine Jacobini Winery for their wine and barrel storage, and was limited to being directly under the former winery.
I was wrong. Recently exploring them for myself, I began to understand the historical and geological importance, along with the scope of the tunnel length and massive network.
To get a better understanding , I invited
Sara Scarselletta
and
Francesca Romani,
both archeologists and official licensed tour guides to come underground with me.
From left: Sara Scarselletta, myself and Francesca Romani
THE ORIGINS & PAST USE OF THE TUNNELS
“These galleries, located beneath the city of Genzano, certainly date back to very ancient times, perhaps even to the archaic era, and over time have been repurposed in many different ways." Scarselletta continues "It is believed they were originally created as a way to move water from swamp areas"
She confirmed our tunnels date back to the ancient Roman times thanks to the tool marks and carving techniques we found: Metal chisels and picks were commonly used, leaving clear, sharp, and sometimes parallel striations on rock surfaces.
Ancient Roman tool marks and carving techniques.
Our tunnels are rumored to be connected all the way to Lake Nemi, which supports the hypotheses they were used as a way to transport water, and possibly used as a cistern for water storage. In one area you find a natural water reserve.
Water reserve found within the tunnels
Modifications made throughout time can be spotted. For example, holes in the ceilings were drilled to transport wine into the depths for wine storage, niches were carved out for barrel storage, and brick and cement were added to reinforce the overhead buildings.
Hole created in ceiling to pass wine from above
We believe there is even another layer of tunnels under the ones we explored; air currents reach us from below through chasms.
Chasm to the unknown below
During WWII, the tunnels were used for refuge from bombing and as escape paths. Germans descended underground and drank the Jacobini wine stock. Luckily they didn’t find it all. We discovered 4 cases of wine, bottles with the labels and capsules still intact, which date back to the late 1800’s in one of the underground niches.
Antique Jacobini Bottle, lable and capsule still intact
THE TUNNELS TODAY
With time, some galleries have been blocked off , sealed, or collapsed. The tunnels continue under neighboring properties; we don't explore those areas due to safety conditions. Alone it is impossible to fully understand the entire network, which could run miles.
But with Scarselletta’s help, we may team up with experts in the area to uncover a greater extent of the network. Tunnels like ours are found all throughout the Castelli Romani, and thanks to the combined efforts of geologists, speleologists, and urban planners, there are ongoing missions to map out the underground area. The goal is to enhance these places, connect them to historic centers and to each other, creating an alternative tourism and routes that allow visitors to discover the underground cultural heritage of the Castelli Romani.
COME VISIT THE TUNNELS
See for yourself our labyrinth of tunnels on our
“Mystery and Wine” tour
. We’ll explore every corner of our ancient hand-carved caves, where time seems to have stopped and every stone tells a story.
As we walk through galleries and hidden nooks, I’ll share with you the secrets of these ancient tunnels and the wine-making traditions that we still keep alive today. It’s a journey filled with mystery and discovery, an opportunity to lose and find yourself in a hidden world.