A once-hidden tunnel running into the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, will be open to the public by the end of October, authorities said.

Built in the First and Second Centuries AD with the aid of horses, the tunnel allowed high-ranking figures to make their way from the massive amphitheater’s exterior to the pulvinar, a stage exclusive to figures of high status in the Roman Empire, according to the Colosseum Archeological Park (CAP). The pulvinar was also called the imperial box and was where the emperors would reside during gladiatorial games and other events, Wanted in Rome reported.

Emperors could travel through the tunnel without the masses observing them. Built while Domitian and Trajan reigned, it later took its name from the Second Century Emperor Commodus. It became known as the “Commodus Passage” after being found in the 19th Century AD, according to Reuters.

The link emerged because of a historical account claiming Commodus survived an attempted assassination, an account that was connected to the tunnel leading to the imperial box. “It was easy to make the connection,” archaeologist Barbara Nazzaro, who was in charge of the restoration of the tunnel, told Reuters. (RELATED: American Tourist Reportedly Impaled At Roman Colosseum)

Construction on the site lasted from October 2024 to September 2025, the CAP said. Using funds from the organization, personnel restored stucco and plastering, installed new roofing over a part that had collapsed and improved lighting equipment and walkability.

Commodus — sole emperor of Rome from 180 to 192 AD — was said to have misruled the empire and shattered decades of stability ushered in by previous emperors such as his father, Marcus Aurelius, according to Britannica. He came to think of himself as the god Hercules and fought as a gladiator in the arena. The emperor became famous more recently as the antagonist in the 2000 film “Gladiator.”

While he reportedly survived one assassination attempt, his advisors would ultimately have a champion wrestler strangle him to death the day after he said he would take the Roman consulship while wearing the garbs of a gladiator. The empire swiftly descended into civil war after his demise.

Starting at the end of October, the “Full Experience ticket” will be made available to the public on the website ticketing.colosseo.it.