Rome opens new archaeological park and museum in shadow of Colosseum

The giant marble map (Forma Urbis Romae) of ancient Rome is shown to the media in the Archaeological Park of Mount Celio Museum overlooking the Colosseum in Rome (Gregorio Borgia/AP)

Rome authorities have inaugurated a new archaeological park and museum in the shadow of the Colosseum that features an original marble map of Ancient Rome that visitors can literally walk over.

The opening of the Archaeological Park of the Celio and the new Museum of the Forma Urbis is part of a bigger project to develop the hilly area around the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill and Colosseum that is home to ruins of ancient temples and gymnasiums.