Domus Aurea roof collapses.

[Will Hooton]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/7538038/Neros-Golden-Palace-ceiling-collapses-due-to-rain.html

[TifJC]

It is disappointing that historical architecture is crumbling.  However, it is a surprise that Nero's house lasted so long.

[Joe S2]

That is really too bad.  Every time I was lucky enough to be in Rome it happened to be closed.  At  this rate if I ever get to go back it will be gone  .

[Paleologo]

Unfortunately the Domus Aurea renovation is just another endless italian story. Apparently the money for repairing this emergency will come from the funds already allocated for ordinary restoration, so don't expect the site to be open anytime soon 

[slokind]

I had been trying to get into the Domus Aurea since my first trip to Rome (1959).  There was always a reason...  Pat L.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I wonder why they leave it buried, as the weight of the soil must add to the strain on the building.

[Optimo Principi]

I had been trying to get into the Domus Aurea since my first trip to Rome (1959).  There was always a reason...  Pat L.

3 trips for me and closed every time. Anyone know what periods it actually was open to the public?

[Paleologo]

There was a short period when it was actually open for the 2000 Holy Year, at least for small guided tours. Now it's closed again on a more or less permanent basis since 2005. I have always lived in Rome and I remember since I was a young boy that the DA was always "closed for restoration".

I don't know if it would actually be feasible to uncover the underground parts, they were used as foundations to later buildings and the large environmental change could easily damage paintings and structures.

[fluffy82]

What a loss! I guess it's not feasible to reconstruct the collapsed rooms?

Luckily they have been thoroughly researched... Larry Ball's book is great on the subject.