The mayor of Rome, Robert Gualtieri, has unveiled the city's largest ancient fresco and mosaic complex, known as the 'Painted City', at the Baths of Trajan. The complex includes a 15-meter-high mosaic and a first-century AD wall fresco depicting a maritime city, which is believed to be the largest of its kind from ancient Rome. The site, located near the Colosseum, has been open to small groups for a weekend trial period this month, with officials monitoring how the delicate artwork handles increased humidity and climatic impacts. The complex was previously discovered during excavations in the 1990s, and is now open to the public for the first time.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-08,
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Story summary
Rome's largest ancient fresco and mosaic complex has been opened to the public for the first time, initially with limited access due to concerns about preserving the delicate artwork. The complex, which includes a grand semicircular upper-level "library" that was likely part of the world's largest bath complex in ancient Rome, features a 1st-century AD fresco depicting a maritime city and a large mosaic. The artworks were uncovered during excavations in the 1990s at the Baths of Trajan on Oppio hill near the Colosseum. Initially, only small groups of 15 people will be allowed to visit each weekend as part of a trial period to monitor how the artwork handles increased humidity and climate changes. Mayor Robert Gualtieri believes the fresco is the largest wall fresco from ancient Rome and should be open to the public for its historical and artistic significance. The complex is expected to eventually welcome broader entry, but officials are taking precautions to preserve the delicate artwork.
Written for “Rome's Ancient Mosaic Discovery” on 2026-09-08,
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What is believed to be Rome’s largest fresco and mosaic complex has been opened for public viewing.
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believed → believe → viewing
The first-century AD artwork depicts a maritime city, situated within what later became the largest bath complex in the world.
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what → depict → world
Mayor Robert Gualtieri presented the newly restored ‘Painted City’ fresco alongside the ‘Great Mosaic’ this week.
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Gualtieri → present → Mosaic
The works were first uncovered during 1990s excavations inside an underground gallery at the Baths of Trajan, located on Oppio hill near the Colosseum.
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works → uncover → Colosseum
The site is now open to the public for the first time, limited initially to small groups of 15 during a weekend trial period beginning this month.
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site → limit → period
Officials aim to monitor how the delicate artwork handle increased humidity and climatic impacts prior to allowing broader entry.
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artwork → aim → entry
Mr Gualtieri said that the fresco, displaying a walled port city from a bird’s-eye perspective, is the largest wall fresco of its kind from ancient Rome and as such ought to be open to the public.
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fresco → say → public
“They are truly unique in the world, both from the point of view of artistic beauty and the historic and documental importance,” he said at the unveiling.
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he → say → unveiling
Rome’s cultural superintendent, Claudio Parisi Presicce, said the grandeur of the port city as depicted in the fresco, with buildings, a theater and temple, public piazzas and towers, was particularly well conserved.
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grandeur → say → buildings
“We don’t know what city it refers to, but it must have been a particularly well-known one,” he said.
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he → know → city
The mosaic measures about 15 metres (49 feet) high and features intricately decorated columns and architectural elements and figures over four different levels.
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mosaic → measure → levels
The top levels appear as a theatrical scene, while at the bottom are designs of another depiction of a port city that were only recently discovered during the restoration.
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that → appear → restoration
The Baths of Trajan, which were dedicated by Emperor Trajan in 109 AD, extended over six hectares (15 acres) and were at the time the largest bath complex in the world.
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which → dedicate → world
They incorporated an earlier baths complex, the Domus Aurea, and were designed on a different trajectory to take better advantage of the water temperatures to optimise the thermal experience for users.
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They → incorporate → users
The complex now open to the public includes a grand semicircular upper-level “library” which archaeologists believe was part of the baths complex and allowed users not only to practice sport and bathe but also to participate in cultural activities.
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users → include → activities
