ITALY-ARCHEOLOGY-PAGAN-BASILICA

A visitor take photos of the stuccoes and decorations on the ceiling and columns of the underground pagan Basilica of Porta Maggiore on April 24,2015. The Pythagorean and Neopythagorean Basilica, revealing various mythological scenes and mystery practices, dates around the first century BC and was discovered by chance in1915 while a railroad line was being built. The 9 meters underground site, originally 7 meters under the ground floor, will soon be open to the public after undergoing long and delicate restoration works which took care of the stability of the structure, water infiltration and biological pollution. AFP PHOTO / FILIPPO MONTEFORTE (Photo credit should read FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)