Case Romane

IT

Case Romane
Case Romane
Location
IT
Category
heritage historic sites
Coordinates
37.970513, 12.064172
Best time
Morning or early afternoon
Weather tip
Check the local forecast before visiting.

Overview

The Case Romane, often identified as the Case Romane del Celio, represent a remarkable archaeological site located beneath the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo in Rome. This complex consists of a multi-layered series of residential structures that span several centuries of Roman history. Visitors to this site can explore an intricate network of rooms featuring preserved frescoes that date from the 2nd to the 4th centuries AD, showcasing a transition from pagan residential life to early Christian influence. As one of the most significant subterranean sites in the city, it offers a unique glimpse into the domestic architecture of ancient Rome. For those planning their itinerary, these ruins serve as one of the essential places to visit for anyone interested in urban archaeology and the evolution of Roman living spaces. The site is meticulously maintained, allowing guests to walk through corridors that once served as shops and private homes. When considering trip ideas for your stay in the capital, the Case Romane offer an immersive experience that contrasts sharply with the monumental surface architecture of the city. Guests should plan for a quiet, contemplative visit, as the subterranean environment is both atmospheric and historically dense. The site provides a rare opportunity to observe the layering of Roman history, where domestic, commercial, and religious functions converged over nearly a millennium of continuous habitation.

General information

The Case Romane, often identified as the Case Romane del Celio, represent a remarkable archaeological site located beneath the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo in Rome. This complex consists of a multi-layered series of residential structures that span several centuries of Roman history. Visitors to this site can explore an intricate network of rooms featuring preserved frescoes that date from the 2nd to the 4th centuries AD, showcasing a transition from pagan residential life to early Christian influence. As one of the most significant subterranean sites in the city, it offers a unique glimpse into the domestic architecture of ancient Rome. For those planning their itinerary, these ruins serve as one of the essential places to visit for anyone interested in urban archaeology and the evolution of Roman living spaces. The site is meticulously maintained, allowing guests to walk through corridors that once served as shops and private homes. When considering trip ideas for your stay in the capital, the Case Romane offer an immersive experience that contrasts sharply with the monumental surface architecture of the city. Guests should plan for a quiet, contemplative visit, as the subterranean environment is both atmospheric and historically dense. The site provides a rare opportunity to observe the layering of Roman history, where domestic, commercial, and religious functions converged over nearly a millennium of continuous habitation.

Did you know

  • The site contains over 20 rooms across different levels, showing the evolution of Roman domestic architecture.
  • The frescoes found here represent a rare fusion of pagan and early Christian iconographic styles.
  • The structures were built directly into the slope of the Caelian Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome.

History

The site originated as a series of 'insulae' (apartment blocks) and a 'domus' (private house) dating back to the 2nd century AD. Over the following centuries, these structures underwent numerous modifications. By the 4th century, the site was converted into a 'titulus', an early Christian place of worship, which eventually formed the foundations for the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo. The archaeological evidence suggests that the buildings were occupied continuously until the 5th century, after which they were largely forgotten until modern excavations revealed their existence beneath the church floor.

Cultural significance

The Case Romane are culturally significant for their preservation of the domestic transition during the Roman Empire. They provide tangible evidence of how private citizens lived, worked, and eventually transitioned toward the new religious order of Christianity. The presence of both secular and religious wall paintings makes this site a vital reference point for art historians studying the evolution of late-antique Roman art. It underscores the multi-layered nature of Roman identity, where the private sphere was gradually repurposed for communal liturgical use.

Geography and landscape

The site is situated on the Caelian Hill, one of the seven historic hills of Rome. Geographically, the structures are carved into the hill's slope, which dictated the terraced layout of the rooms. The current subterranean nature of the site is a result of centuries of urban accumulation, where the original street levels were buried by subsequent construction projects. The surroundings are characterized by the dense, historic fabric of central Rome, with the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo serving as the primary landmark directly above the excavated ruins.

More facts

  • Imported from OSM batch

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