Restored Fresco and Mosaic Complex Opens in Rome After 2,000 Years

After centuries of being hidden from view, what is believed to be the largest fresco and mosaic complex in ancient Rome has been opened to the public. This week, city officials unveiled the restored Painted City fresco and the Great Mosaic at the Baths of Trajan. These works date back to the first century C.E. and remained underground until their discovery in the 1990s. The fresco covers 107 square feet and depicts a walled maritime city with buildings, a theater, a temple, public piazzas, and towers, all rendered in shades of blue and terra cotta. Claudio Parisi Presicce, Rome’s cultural superintendent, noted that while the specific city depicted is unknown, it likely held great importance in antiquity.

The Great Mosaic measures 33 feet high and 52 feet wide, featuring designs of decorative columns and plinths alongside bird’s-eye views of the maritime city. The figures depicted include a bearded philosopher, a centaur, and a poet receiving a laurel crown. Francesco Pacetti, an archaeologist involved in the excavation, stated it may be the largest wall mosaic ever found in the Roman world and that they are still uncovering more of it. Current work is focused on a section that illustrates grape harvesting and winemaking.

These artworks were found during excavations of the Baths of Trajan, which were designed by Apollodorus of Damascus and dedicated in 109 C.E. At the time of its completion, the complex was the largest in the world, covering approximately 15 acres. It served as a facility for bathing, exercise, and social and cultural activities. The site is located on Oppian Hill near the Colosseum, where Emperor Nero previously built his Domus Aurea palace. Because the newly revealed art is believed to predate the baths, its exact origins are still being discussed by archaeologists.

Access to the complex will initially be limited to groups of no more than 15 people, with free guided tours available by reservation starting on September 12, 2026. Authorities will monitor this trial period to see how visitors affect the condition of the art before deciding on broader access. The site has been outfitted with walkways, lighting, rest areas, and tiered seating for events. Visitors can also see a large semicircular wall known as an exedra, which is thought to have been a library. Mayor Roberto Gualtieri remarked that the niches in the wall likely held books and documents, reflecting the cultural role of the Baths of Trajan. The opening provides a look at ancient Roman art and architecture and offers insights into the past.