Roma Nascosta - Really Hidden Rome

Well, this week we were greeted with totally cool news: a bunch of underground archeological sites, heretofore unseen by the general public, would be opened in an exclusive showing. And we thought we had the place pretty much carved right up! The release was picked up ‘round the world, but with no snoopy reporter offering a clarifying followup question.
Problem is, in keeping with tradition, the places remained hidden from public view, even in the newspapers and on websites. Incredibly, but typically, they simply forgot to provide the details – oh, say, like names and, how to make a reservation (obligatory, however). They went all-out to make sure they got the standard quote in order to fan the ego errrr.. feathers of the town Mayor, however. As if his comment is going to send a rush of fans to the front doors.
Sadly, from Milan to Messina, huge posters often go out announcing the event, only to have neglected key details. I've even seen signs up all over town for performances, but missing the date. Sometimes, you'll find a new-fangled website, the name of which you will never ever remember upon leaving the station. For a show on Garibaldi, for example, the site might be: fondazioneperilrisorgimento.camicierossi.it
In the event you do remember the logon, you have to click through in a sort of Finding Nemo sort of fashion in order to find what you’re looking for, only to be timed out upon ticket purchase.
I started thinking that perhaps they had simply made Hidden Rome into a sort of archeological dig theme party. The ones who manage to pick out an underground site, go to google street view (oops – that wouldn’t work, as it’s below the ground), and stand in line (oops – that was for hot cornetti) and make it in, would be treated to a host of netherworld delights.
The first clue was to be found on posters with a call in number (as if I would be able to write down all the names, opening times, and locations). I opted instead to try my luck at the Rome City website. There, I started clicking away, down to artistic sort of things, giving new meaning to the term, 'carpal tunnel', and lo and behold! I could download a pdf of the entire week’s programming. (but only because I’m in the business, did I know to click on the very last item on the list, Zetema – as if that name was a dead giveaway).
This is actually an improvement: In the past, I would have had to fax in my i.d. cards, promise my first born and attach a picture of me kissing the last pope’s ring colored in burnt sienna in order to obtain the pdf file. I feel I’m way ahead of the game – if everyone else has as much trouble as me, perhaps the lines will be considerably shorter. I’ll keep you posted on what else I dig up.


Here is the magical pdf file link
Please note, check back periodically for this initiative as it runs off/on throughout the year.
For reservations: Tel. 060608 or see the Zetema site.