Uncovering Ancient Roman Treasures: Jubilee 2025 Surprises in Rome
Exciting new revelations have come to light in Rome, as the ruins of an ancient Roman garden, likely owned by Emperor Caligula, have been unearthed as part of a significant construction project near the Vatican. The Italian culture ministry announced this fascinating discovery on Thursday.
Archaeologists discovered a travertine wall and the foundations of a colonnaded portico, described by the ministry as the “remains of an interesting garden arrangement” overlooking the right bank of the river Tiber.
This find was made during the ongoing work to pedestrianize Piazza Pia, a €70 million project for the Vatican’s Jubilee Year 2025, which aims to connect Castel Sant’Angelo with Via della Conciliazione and St Peter’s by redirecting traffic through an underpass.
The excavation also revealed a lead water pipe marked with the name of the property owner, which points to Caligula, the Roman emperor from 37 to 41 AD, according to a statement from the culture ministry.
“The inscription reads C(ai) Cæsaris Aug (usti) Germanici: it is therefore Caligula, son of Germanicus and Agrippina the Elder,” the ministry stated.
Furthermore, historical records suggest that Caligula had received dignitaries at this garden in a grand setting overlooking the Tiber, as described by Philo of Alexandria, a prominent figure from the first century.
According to the ministry, previous excavations in the area had uncovered lead pipes inscribed with the name of Iulia Augusta, believed to be Livia Drusilla, grandmother of Germanicus and wife of Augustus.
The latest discovery in Piazza Pia emerged during the relocation of an ancient Roman dry cleaners known as a fullonica, which will eventually be exhibited in the nearby grounds of Castel Sant’Angelo.
Despite the new finds, Rome’s mayor Roberto Gualtieri reassured that the Jubilee project remains on track for completion in December 2024, underscoring the importance of this ambitious endeavor in the heart of the Eternal City.
Photos by Fabio Caricchia – Soprintendenza Speciale di Roma
