Hidden Wonders: Archaeological finds on Vatican Radio's doorstep

VN—Excavation work in front of Vatican Radio’s main entrance continues with the dismantling of imperial-era fullonicas (ancient laundries), recently discovered during redevelopment efforts for the upcoming Jubilee. As work proceeds more hidden wonders are revealed.

Vatican News—Careful excavations on Vatican Radio’s doorstep are being conducted alongside stratigraphic excavations that have uncovered significant remains, some dating as far back as the first half of the 1st century AD. Notably, the remains of a portico overlooking the Tiber and large gardens belonging to Emperor Caligula have emerged.

A luxurious garden facing the Tiber has been unearthed in the area designated for an underpass for the 2025 Jubilee. The garden is bordered by a massive terraced wall made of squared travertine blocks, running parallel to the river. Alongside this wall are the brick foundations of a collonaded portico.

Following the discovery of a well-preserved fullonica from the second half of the 2nd century AD, featuring complete sections such as dolia (large “decapitated” jars used as washing basins) and three rinsing basins, the excavation, led by the Special Superintendence of Rome under Daniela Porro, with field coordination by archaeologist Dora Cirone and scientific direction by Alessio De Cristofaro, has documented three other building phases, from the Augustan age to that of Nero.

Among the findings, a particularly significant one is a fragment of a lead water pipe (fistula aquaria), inscribed with the name “C(ai) Caesaris Aug(usti) Germanici,” identifying Caligula, Hidden Wonders: Archaeological finds on Vatican Radio's doorstep who was emperor from 37 to 41 AD, as the owner. This allows us to name the proprietor of the water supply system and date the first construction phase of this complex.

The inscription is crucial for other reasons as well, noted Alessio De Cristofaro, as it indicates that this area was part of the Horti of Agrippina the Elder, Caligula’s mother. In the last century, the discovery of other lead pipes at Piazza Pia inscribed with the name “Iulia Augusta,” likely referring to Livia Drusilla, Augustus’ second wife and Germanicus’ grandmother, suggests that the villa was a family inheritance passed down through the Augustan line to Caligula.

Among the sophisticated finds are several Campana Plaques from the first half of the 1st century, reused to cover later drains. These are terracotta reliefs, made using moulds, depicting heraldic and mythological scenes that originally decorated a roof.

Archaeological discoveries unearth the past and evoke emotions and impressions. It’s not difficult to imagine the luxurious imperial garden overlooking the Tiber. The images become clearer when literary sources converge and shed more light on the material findings. These sources seem to specifically refer to this area on the right bank of the River Tiber.

Literary sources and archaeological findings

In his work “On the Embassy to Gaius,” Philo of Alexandria recounts his experience as an ambassador in Rome, seeking an end to the persecution of the Jews in Alexandria.

He describes an initial meeting with Caligula, noting that “receiving us favourably at first, in the plains on the banks of the Tiber (for he happened to be walking about in his mother’s garden), he conversed with us formally, and waved his right hand to us in a protecting manner, giving us significant tokens of his goodwill…”. Philo thus refers to an external area of the Horti of Agrippina, near an entrance close to the River Tiber.

Hidden Wonders: Archaeological finds on Vatican Radio's doorstep

Seneca, in his dialogue “On Anger,” writes: Caligula, “when walking with some ladies and senators in his mother’s gardens, along the walk between the colonnade and the ricer, he struck off some of their heads by lamplight…” In this case, the description is even more precise and seems to substantiate the findings at Piazza Pia, referring to the gardens and a portico of his villa within the Horti, which once belonged to his mother.

In these passages, written shortly after the emperor’s death, Philo speaks of Caligula’s insensitivity to the pleas of the Jews of Alexandria, and Seneca of his senseless cruelty towards the senators. However, both clearly highlight the close topographical connection between the Horti and the River Tiber, as corroborated by the recent discoveries in Piazza Pia.