Nymphaeum in via Amba Aradam

In 1962, during the construction of the buildings of the current archive of the Vicariate, on the corner between via dei Laterani and via Amba Aradam, at a depth of approximately 7.50 metres, the remains of a small nymphaeum from the Roman era

were discovered. The nymphaeum has a basilica plan, consisting of a main room of rectangular shape which ends in an exedra, with a niche in the centre, and two smaller rooms on the sides. In all likelihood these rooms were connected to the baths still visible south-east of the Lateran baptistery.

Some remains of glass paste mosaics date the first construction phase to the Neronian, or in any case Julio-Claudian, age. Subsequently, around the 3rd century AD, the nymphaeum underwent some transformations: a mosaic decoration was added, the plinth was redone with marble slabs and the walls were decorated with paintings with floral motifs, partly still in a good state of preservation, especially those in the room to the right of the apse. In all likelihood these rooms were connected to the baths still visible south-east of the Lateran Baptistery, dating back to the first half of the 3rd century. A.D.

Currently, the entry to the monument, which is located halfway between municipal and Vatican property, is either from inside the Vicariate archive or from a manhole along the road.

Photo:Capitoline Superintendency