Opening of the Baths of Trajan Museum in Rome

With its immense fresco representing a mysterious Roman city, one of the largest mosaics known from the imperial era, the Museum of the Baths of Trajan will open its doors this weekend in Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, the mayor of the city, announced on Tuesday September 8.

The Baths of Trajan, located at the top of Colle Oppio, not far from the Colosseum, constitute the first example of a "great baths" in Rome and were built according to the plans of the most famous architect of the time, Apollodorus of Damascus. The construction of these thermal baths, with an area at the time of 60,000 m2, was launched by Emperor Trajan in 104 AD, and he inaugurated them in 109 AD.

This new museum includes, among other things, a fresco of approximately 10 m2 currently being restored, La città dipinta (the painted city), representing an unidentified city of the Roman Empire as well as a large mosaic, Musa e filosofo (The Muse and the Philosopher) with still vivid colors and representing characters of remarkable realism.

“This is the largest fresco and the largest mosaic from the Roman era ever discovered,” greeted the mayor during this announcement, as part of restoration work on the site. He spoke of "wonderful works that are truly unique in the world, both in their artistic beauty and in their historical and documentary importance."

The museum also includes an exedra, a semi-circular building, which will host artistic and cultural events in the future, the mayor added. Claudio Parisi Presicce, head of cultural assets in the Italian capital, explained that this new museum would open in September, only on weekends, and would welcome groups of no more than 15 people.

It will then open in October on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The authorities will then determine the terms of a wider opening to the public, taking into account the fragility of the works.