Rome unveils 2,000-year-old mosaic and fresco complex
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In Rome, Italy, authorities opened a new museum at Trajan’s Baths to display the “Great Mosaic” and the “Painted City”, ancient artworks discovered during excavations in the 1990s.
The artworks, dating to the 1st century AD, were hidden underground near the Colosseum for centuries. The “Painted City” is a ten-square-meter fresco depicting a city viewed from above, while the “Great Mosaic” shows a detailed scene of a Roman harbor and measures 15 meters high.
Emperor Trajan dedicated the Baths in 109 AD, and they became the largest bath complex in the world, covering six hectares. Apollodorus of Damascus designed the baths, incorporating an earlier complex called the Domus Aurea. Some researchers believe the harbor depicted in the mosaic might be the final resting place of Emperor Claudius, though this remains unconfirmed. Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, described the artworks as “truly unique in the world” for their artistic beauty and historical importance.
To protect the fragile artworks, the museum will initially limit visits to small groups on weekends, expanding to Friday through Sunday from October 2nd with a maximum of 15 people per time slot. The restored complex also includes new pedestrian routes, panoramic rest areas, and a tiered seating system for events.
