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Archaeological discoveries at Rome's Baths of Trajan

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2026-09-13 21:21 UTC → 2026-09-30 02:51 UTC · added removed

Following a 14-year restoration project, archaeologists in Rome have officially unveiled two major ancient artworks discovered beneath the Baths of Trajan on the Colle Oppio. The finds include the ‘Painted City’ fresco, a 10-square-meter aerial depiction of a fortified maritime city, and a monumental wall mosaic known as the ‘Great Mosaic’. The ‘Great Mosaic’ measures 10 meters high and 16 meters long, making it the largest mural mosaic ever discovered from the Roman world. It depicts a complex architectural scene featuring columns, statues, and human figures, including intricate depictions of centaurs, poets, and muses. Experts are currently investigating whether this work was part of Emperor Nero’s Domus Aurea or belonged to a separate private residence that was later incorporated into the complex, which Emperor Trajan transformed into public baths in 109 AD. The ‘Painted City’ fresco provides a bird’s-eye view of a walled port city with towers and public squares, retaining visible blue and terracotta tones. Researchers suggest this scene could represent a real location, such as Ostia, or an imaginary setting. To protect these sensitive surfaces, The Museum of the site is being Baths of Trajan has now officially opened to the public in limited groups an underground gallery on the Oppian Hill to monitor showcase these finds. While the impacts of humidity monumental mosaic is estimated to stand between 12 and climate. Archaeologist Francesco Pacetti noted that excavations are ongoing 15 meters high, only about 20% of the work has been recovered, suggesting the composition may extend beyond currently visible sections. In addition to determine the full extent of mosaic and fresco, the find. museum displays other artifacts, including eight large lead pipes cast with ‘THERM TRAIANI’.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-30 02:51 UTC Archaeological discoveries at Rome's Baths of Trajan
  2. 2026-09-13 21:21 UTC Archaeological discoveries at Rome's Baths of Trajan
  3. 2026-09-10 22:17 UTC Archaeological discoveries at Rome's Baths of Trajan
  4. 2026-09-10 15:39 UTC Archaeological discoveries at Rome's Baths of Trajan

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