This forbidding passage way is a leftover aisleway from when this was the Theatre of Pompey (built about 50BC) where on the steps of that theatre in 44BC Cæsar famously was killed in front of a statue of Pompey, his rival. ⁣

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Since the Middle Ages it has been a pedestrian tunnel that connects Piazza del Biscione in Campo dei’Fiori with Via di Grottapinta. ⁣

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But once you walk in it’s immediately enchanting, refurbished frescoes and a small shrine to the Madonna. In 1796, the story goes, the Madonna suddenly opened her eyes and nervously looked around then shut them again. ⁣

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I have to say I’m glad that didn’t happen while I was alone in that tunnel.