Italian archaeologists discovered a underground tunnel that connects Viterbo to Rome, 80 kilometers away.
Among the volcanic rocks of the Tuscia region, the gate, which has been hidden for centuries, was discovered by chance during the work carried out in the infrastructure of the Viterbo Historical Center.
During the excavation work in a building, the entrance of the tunnel was found. Archaeologists from the University of Tuscia identified the tunnel to examine the tunnel.
According to the first determinations, the height of the tunnel is approximately 3 meters and the width is 2 meters. It was found that some parts were blocked along the route, but the tunnel is thought to continue to the Prima Porta in Rome. The findings obtained so far have shown that at least the Sutri region has reached the region. This means Rome half way.
For what purpose?
What is the function of the tunnel is still a secret. Local historians suggest that this tunnel may have served as an escape or transportation for papal messengers in the Middle Ages, where Viterbo is a papal center.
Some archaeologists claim that the tunnel can be a structure of Etruscan origin used for military or evacuation purposes other parts of the Tuscia region. The use of brick and stone arches in some parts of the tunnel can be accepted as an indication that they have been restored in Roman or Middle Ages to strengthen the original structure.
Tunnel in legends
The entrance of the tunnel in Viterbo is kept hidden due to security concerns. Technologies such as underground radar will be used to map the entire tunnel and to determine how far it goes. In addition, studies will be done to determine the possible exit of the tunnel in Rome.
The legends often described in the region were mentioned hidden ways. In one of these rumors, the Pope Pass was mentioned in the Pope Pass, which connected Viterbo to the Basilica of St. Petrus in Rome.
Other tunnels were found in and around the vicinity. However, a tunnel of length to connect the two cities was not found.
