Romans teach tourists a handy trick during ongoing heat wave

©Claudio Hirschberger via Unsplash

When the summer heat in Rome becomes unbearable, residents are increasingly seeking relief underground. After all, beneath the city lies a vast network of catacombs, caves, tunnels, and ancient ruins where the temperature remains remarkably constant, usually around 17 to 18 degrees.

This natural coolness makes underground spots an attractive refuge during heat waves. In particular, the catacombs along the Via Appia, the Basilica di San Clemente, the Domus Aurea, and the Stadium of Domitian draw particular attention when temperatures gradually become unbearable. Not only because they are cool, but also because they reveal a piece of Roman history. This is how practical necessity is suddenly combined with cultural tourism.

The City of Rome is now investigating how these underground spaces can be more widely utilized as so-called climate shelters. Geologist Francesco La Vigna, who is collaborating on the research on behalf of the city, told Internazionale that the ground can effectively regulate temperature and acts as a strong insulator. But to make the spaces truly usable, some modifications are needed: sanitation facilities, restrooms, running water, electricity, and seating.

Residents of poorer neighborhoods in particular should benefit from this, especially in the eastern part of the city, where concrete and asphalt trap heat and temperatures rise the highest. Moreover, a relatively large number of people in those neighborhoods live in poorly insulated homes without air conditioning. It's precisely there that many underground spaces are located, which means Rome could potentially build on old infrastructure to address a new climate challenge.

World War II bomb shelters are also being considered. A large bunker beneath Piazza Dante can accommodate more than two thousand people. If the plan goes ahead, Rome could become the first European capital to use its underground heritage as strategic protection against extreme heat.

©Claudio Hirschberger via Unsplash - illustrative image