mUSEUM OF THE Crypta Balbi

 

The Museum of the Crypta Balbi is housed in a complex between Via delle Botteghe Oscure and Via Caetani which includes two houses of medieval origin on Via Botteghe Oscure and the "Barberinian dormitory" in Via Caetani.

The arrangement plan and the tours allow the visitor to notice the articulation of the old buildings and the original communication routes in an area which has had considerable continuity of life from the Roman era to the present day.

The general archaeological excavation and the restoration project of such an important complex, which can be considered one of the most successful projects of urban archaeology, was carried out over approximately twenty years starting in the '80S, and now demonstrates the different building phases of the area. In the Roman era the area was occupied by a vast courtyard with an arcade attached to the theatre of Balbus erected in 13 BC, then it was transformed and adapted over subsequent periods, especially in the medieval and Renaissance eras with the settlement of the Monastery of Saint Maria Domine Rose built in VIII century, the houses of merchants built after the year 1000 next to the wall of the Crypta and the Conservatory of Santa Caterina dei Funari built in XVI century.

The transformations of this section of the historical centre are displayed as documented by the excavation on the ground floor; the Roman urban culture between the V and X centuries is illustrated through the exhibition of materials that document the productive and handicraft industries of the time, on the ground floor and first floor: the artefacts from the VII century found in the storage room of the Crypta that held a huge amount of tableware, kitchenware and items for transport, are among some of the examples. Other important items following recent urban excavations and historical collections, in particular material from the Forums, the Colle Oppio and Celio are displayed in addition to the finds from the excavation of the Crypta.

The numismatic material on display(Gnecchi and Vittorio Emanuele III collections)originates from historical collections. (it)

 

 

For Tours information – private guided tours – special entrances, no waiting in line - VIP services

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