Ancient Rome's biggest fresco and mosaic open to public for first time
since discovery 3 decades ago
[September 09, 2026]
By NICOLE WINFIELD
ROME (AP) — Authorities on Tuesday unveiled what is believed to be the
largest fresco and mosaic complex of ancient Rome, a first century A.D.
depiction of a maritime city in what became the largest bath complex in
the world.
Mayor Roberto Gualtieri presented the recently restored “Painted City”
fresco and “Great Mosaic” that were discovered in an underground gallery
during excavations in the 1990s of the Baths of Trajan on the Oppio hill
near the Colosseum.
The works are opening to the public for the first time, initially in
small groups of 15 and during a trial period of weekend access starting
this month. The aim is to determine how the delicate works respond to
increased humidity and climactic impacts before allowing more general
access.
Gualtieri said the fresco, which features images of a walled port city
from a birds-eye view perspective, was the largest wall fresco of its
kind from ancient Rome and as such needs to be open to the public. After
being hidden underground for centuries, its blues and terra cotta colors
are still clear but faded.
“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.
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. The restoration work included techniques to preserve and
improve visibility, remove surface deposits and consolidate the grouting
to keep the decorated surfaces intact.
“We don’t know what city it refers to, but it must have been a
particularly well-known one,” he said
[to top of second column]
|
Reporters film the "The Painted City" fresco, discovered during
1990s built as foundations for the Baths of Trajan that has been
restored, in Rome, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026.(AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
 The mosaic, for its part, measures
some 15 meters (yards) high and features intricately decorated
columns and architectural elements and figures over four different
levels. The top levels are up-close images with people that are
almost like theatrical scenes, while at the bottom are views of the
port city’s layout from above.
The Baths of Trajan, which were dedicated by Emperor Trajan in 109
A.D., extended over six hectares (15 acres) and were at the time the
largest bath complex in the 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
optimize the thermal experience for 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.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
