Authorities in Rome have unveiled what is believed to be the largest fresco and mosaic complex of ancient Rome. The first-century A.D. artworks, known as the "Painted City" fresco and the "Great Mosaic," were discovered in the 1990s during excavations beneath the Baths of Trajan on the Oppio hill near the Colosseum.
These historic pieces are now open to the public for the first time since their discovery. Access is initially limited to small groups of 15 people, with trial weekend access beginning this month. This phased opening aims to assess how the delicate works react to changes in humidity and climate before wider public access is permitted.
The "Painted City" fresco offers a bird's-eye view of a walled port city, featuring buildings, a theater, a temple, public piazzas, and towers. While its blues and terra cotta colors remain visible, they have faded after centuries underground. Rome's mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, described the fresco as the largest wall fresco of its kind from ancient Rome and emphasized its importance for public viewing.
According to Claudio Parisi Presicce, Rome's cultural superintendent, the depiction of the port city is remarkably well-conserved. Restoration efforts have focused on preserving and enhancing visibility, removing surface deposits, and consolidating the grouting to maintain the integrity of the decorated surfaces. The specific identity of the city depicted remains unknown, but it is believed to have been a prominent one.
The "Great Mosaic" measures approximately 15 meters (yards) in height and showcases intricately decorated columns and architectural elements across four levels. The upper levels feature close-up depictions of people, resembling theatrical scenes, while the lower levels provide overhead views of the port city's layout.
The Baths of Trajan, inaugurated by Emperor Trajan in 109 A.D., were once the largest bath complex in the world, spanning six hectares (15 acres). The complex integrated an earlier structure, the Domus Aurea, and was designed to optimize the thermal experience for bathers by utilizing water temperatures efficiently.
The newly opened section of the complex includes a large, semicircular upper-level area identified by archaeologists as a potential "library" within the baths. This space suggests that the complex served not only as a place for sport and bathing but also for cultural engagement.