Excubitorium of the Seventh
Cohort of Vigiles
( Excubitorium delle settima coorte dei vigiles di
Roma )
located 8 meters below current ground level, this
was uncovered in 1865-66, during one of the several
19th century excavations performed to recover
works of art in the area in front of
Piazza S.Crisogono, which has now disappeared in
the most recent replanning of the neighborhood.
The
use of the rooms uncovered became immediately
apparent right from the start of the excavation,
given the large quantity of graffiti on the
walls, repeatedly mentioning the Seventh Cohort
of Vigiles.
It
was therefore possible to identify the building
as an excubitorium, or guard-house,
which came into being towards the end of the 2nd
century AD on the premises of a private house bought
or rented by the public authorities. The monument
consists of a large hall containing a
hexagonal pool with concave sides in the middle.
In
front of this, on the south wall, is an
elegant arched door which leads into the lararium,
a kind of shrine to the guardian spirit of
the vigiles, the Genius excubitorii,
mentioned in graffiti which has now
disappeared.
Address Via della
VII Coorte, 9
For
Tours information
private guided tours special entrances, no waiting in
line - VIP services
www.tourinrome.com
www.vaticanmuseuminformation.com
www.vaticanmuseumticket.com
