Cave of Romulus and Remus located in Rome

The probe and the mosic work on the walls of the cave, archaeologists find home of the founders of Rome

Legend has it that Rome was founded by the twin brothers Romulus and Remus, who were raised on the milk of a she-wolf in her cave lair.

For many hundreds of years archaeologists have lived in hope of finding the grotto and now, by sheer luck, they believe they have.

The probe and the mosic work on the walls of the cave, archaeologists find home of the founders of Rome
The probe being lowered into the hill and a picture of the stunning mosaic work on the walls of the cave. Archaeologists believe the cave formed the centrepoint of Roman life

A team was using a probe to take samples and photograph the honeycomb core of the city's Palatine hill when they stumbled across the shrine 16 metres below ground.

The cave, known as the Lupercale - Luper is Latin for wolf - was discovered facing the Circus Maximus underneath the palace of the first emperor, Augustus.

"The photographs that the probe sent back showed the most famous place in Roman mythology," said Francesco Rutelli, the Italian culture minister.

"We have been searching for this site for years, and at last everyone can see it."

Walter Veltroni, the mayor of Rome, added: "It is amazing to think that this legendary place has finally become real before our eyes. Rome never ceases to stun the world with this sort of discovery."

The cave was found earlier this year but only now have archaeologists been able to verify it as the Lupercale.

The chamber, which is seven-and-a-half metres high and six metres wide, is studded with seashells and mosaics. Part of the grotto appears natural, while part of it has been built.

It was decorated by Augustus, who wanted to establish a religious cult that celebrated the she-wolf. In the middle of the cave is a marble mosaic of a white eagle, the imperial motif.

Giorgio Croci, the lead archaeologist, said his team "almost screamed" when they realised what they had found. "It is clear that Augustus wanted his residence to be built in a place which was sacred for the city of Rome."

The emperor restored the sanctuary and probably connected it to his own palace, he said.

According to Roman mythology, Romulus and Remus - the sons of a mortal priestess, Rhea Silvia, and Mars, the Roman god of war - were born around 770BC.

The boys were abandoned at birth and thrown into the Tiber in a cradle. They washed up near the Palatine hill and were rescued by a she-wolf, who took them to her cave lair and suckled them.

After being found by the shepherd, Faustulus, and raised to adulthood, the twins decided in 753BC to establish a city. However, they argued about who had the support of the gods, and Romulus killed Remus in a fight on what became the Palatine hill.

The cave played a significant role in ancient Roman life. Dogs and goats were sacrificed every February and the blood smeared on the foreheads of two noble boys as part of a festival. Women would also go there to pray for a pregnancy.

However, with the growth of Christianity, the old beliefs fell by the wayside.

Angelo Bettini, Rome's chief archaeologist, said no one had yet been able to enter the grotto.

Archaeologists are now searching for the cave's original entrance, and will shortly build scaffolding to secure the interior.