Heavy Rains Damage Ceiling of Nero’s Palace

Part of the ceiling of the Domus Aurea, Nero’s fabled golden palace that was once studded with pearls and covered in ivory, has collapsed because of heavy rains.

Rome’s archeological board has closed the building to visitors temporarily. The palace, built in AD 64, is one of the city’s most popular tourist sites. It reopened to visitors two years ago after 20 years of excavation and restoration.

Heavy rains this month and last washed away brickwork in the ceiling of one room, widening a circular opening originally designed to give a view of the sky.