A journey through time to discover Roman Trento thanks to virtual reality

Underneath the historic centre of Trento we find the ancient Roman city of Tridentum, the splendidum municipium, as it was defined by the Emperor Claudius in 46 AD. 

Over the many centuries of its life, starting from the 1 st century before Christ, Tridentum underwent intervention and a series of modifications until it was finally incorporated within the medieval and modern city of Trento. 

Symbolic of Tridentum is the S.A.S.S. Sas Underground Archaeological Space: two thousand years of history, 1,700 sq. m of Roman city in a fascinating and picturesque setting, the result of archaeological excavations carried out during the restoration and extension of the Teatro Sociale. The extensive area is made up of public and private spaces and buildings: a long stretch of the eastern city walls, a lenghty section of paved road, fragments of houses with the remains of mosaics, courtyards and artisan workshops. 

The archaeological area of Palazzo Lodron, in the square with the same name, is also open for visitors. In the basement rooms of the building, a section of the southern city wall, part of a minor hinge, i.e., a side street, with earthen sidewalks, is visible. Especially interesting are the remains of a caupona, a wine store, and a domus with kitchen, pantry, and sewers.

Not far away, under the Civic Tower, are the archaeological remains of Porta Veronensis, the monumental entrance to the Roman city. The area is part of the museum, but currently closed to the public. It is a first-century AD structure, rectangular in plan, with an inner courtyard, two white stone facades, equipped with two passages, one reserved for pedestrians and the other for chariots.

In thP little squaie called "piazzetta Anfiteatro" and neighboring areas (vicolo degli Orbi, vicolo di S. Pietro), some elements belonging to the city's amphitheater have been unearthed by archaeologists, but cannot be visited, including two large worked stone blocks, a threshold and two pillars marking an opening space. The elliptical-shaped structure had an arena 62 meters long and 48 meters wide.

Information

Autonomous Province of Trento

UMSt, Unità di missione strategica (Strategic Mission Unit of the Department for Cultural Heritage and Activities), for the protection and promotion of cultural heritage and activities

Ufficio beni archeologici | Archaeological heritage office

Via Mantova, 67 - 38122 Trento

tel. 0461 492161

S.A.S.S. tel. 0461 230171

uff.beniarcheologici@provincia.tn.it

www.cultura.trentino.it/Temi/Archeologia