 The reconstructed half column once part of the columnade of Crypta Balbi | A step from where Julius Caesar was killed, in via delle Botteghe Oscure, there is the Balbi Crypt a site that has been deeply investigated by a group of passionate and talented archaeologists between 1980s and 1990s. Balbi Crypt was a colonnade connected to the smallest theater of Rome built by Lucius Cornelius Balbo in 13 B.C. The theater now lies under the Mattei Palaces; the area of the Crypt instead was wisely purchased by the Italian State and revealed the rich and changing life of the city of Rome through a remarkable amount of marbles and artifacts from different centuries. A big portion of the imposing perimetric wall of the Crypt is still standing, with its big travertine blocks and its half columns fallen after the earthquake 847 AD patiently recomposed piece by piece. Under the IV century floor there are other levels to discover: the ancient foundation wall of the nearby Porticus Minucia, an office used in ancient times for the free distribution of wheat to the Romans. Still today Romans are questioned: 'Are you a Roman from Rome?'. Few knows that this comes from the ancient right of the Romans born within the city walls of free distribution of wheat. |
| In the Middle Ages, leaning on the external wall of the Crypt, the few citizens survived to the barbarian invasions started to build huts, then as the level of life was improving, they were replaced by houses and palaces whose sewage system can be still seen. In the meanwhile the building which once connected the Crypt to the Porticus Minucia was decaying and a street called via delle Botteghe Oscure (the street of dark shops) took its place. The most exciting part of the Crypt is the Exedra. Liberated from the above modern houses, the Exedra was known theoretically by the specialists through the Forma Urbis, a huge ancient marble map of Rome built at the time of Septimius Severus preserved only in few parts. One of this part is showing exactly this semicircular part of the crypt. The Exedra was transformed by Hadrian in a luxury public toilet which could comfortably house 40 people, then after the fall of the Roman Empire the area was filled by the 'Calcare', kilns to transform the ancient statues into cement for the new constructions. In this area, the archaeologists found 2 bodies buried in the ancient toilet system, as the population could not leave the city during sieges, and the remains of a donkey killed during an earthquake by the sudden falling of the roof. |  Exedra of Crypta Balbi, the original 'latrina' built by Hadrian then transformed into a glass furnace |
 A fullonica behind the Exedra. | The Exedra was later connected with a monastery named Church of Santa Maria Domine Rosae and partly transformed into a praefurnium (oven) to heat the air and create a steam room to restore the tired pilgrims and the priests hosted in the monastery. The Balneum (private bath) is dating XI century but it is based on the bath system of the Ancient Romans. The Church was later enlarged and transformed by the Jesuits in an Institution to save the 'Miserable Virgins' from prostitution. Behind the Exedra, outside the crypt, a very well preserved ancient street divides some insulae (apartment blocks) transformed in the IV century into a domus (rich house) and after the fall of the Roman Empire, into a fullonica, a shop to dye color in the fabrics. The place did not have a good smell at the time, as to fix the colors they used urine. On display in the above museum, there is an incredible amount of materials which prove the changes of this strategical point of Rome: pottery, jewelry, working instruments as well as amazing graphic reconstructions. A less known site which helps to drag the Middle Ages out from the Darkness. |
The street behind the Exedra and the Ancient House later transformed into a Fullonica.
Useful Tips: The entrance to this archaeological area is not so visible. It is a block away from the medieval tower of Papito in Largo Argentina, following the rails of the tram, in via delle Botteghe Oscure.
The area is full of nice restaurants being so close to the Jewish ghetto and to the Pantheon.
Don't miss the map of the Balbi Crypt on the window facing via Caetani which gives you an idea of the position of ancient buildings in relation to the new ones.
Along the via delle Botteghe Oscure you will also find two columns from the temple of the Nymphs which was once in the center of the Porticus Minucia. Also those columns had to be re-erected as they were found on the ground fallen during an earthquake hidden by the new constructions.
I would definitely recommend to visit this site on Saturday and Sunday when the most exciting part, the Exedra, is open to the public, at 10.45, 11.45, 12.45; 14.45, 15.45, 16.45. Always check the openings time as they can change.
If you need any further information, contact me through http://www.mylovelyrome.com
The area is full of nice restaurants being so close to the Jewish ghetto and to the Pantheon.
Don't miss the map of the Balbi Crypt on the window facing via Caetani which gives you an idea of the position of ancient buildings in relation to the new ones.
Along the via delle Botteghe Oscure you will also find two columns from the temple of the Nymphs which was once in the center of the Porticus Minucia. Also those columns had to be re-erected as they were found on the ground fallen during an earthquake hidden by the new constructions.
I would definitely recommend to visit this site on Saturday and Sunday when the most exciting part, the Exedra, is open to the public, at 10.45, 11.45, 12.45; 14.45, 15.45, 16.45. Always check the openings time as they can change.
If you need any further information, contact me through http://www.mylovelyrome.com
