A 4th-5th century Roman Secret Beneath Catania's Square

A 4th-5th century Roman Secret Beneath Catania's Square

Beneath the bustling Piazza del Duomo in Catania lies a hidden gem: the Terme Achilliane, a Roman bath complex dating back to the 4th-5th century. Only a portion of this historical artifact is visible today, and recent excavations suggest it may extend beyond the current occupied buildings.

The Terme Achilliane are Roman ruins, dating back to the late Imperial period. They are located beneath Piazza del Duomo in Catania. The name Terme Achilliane is deduced from an inscription, now preserved in the Museo civico del Castello Ursino. The site can be accessed through a corridor with a barrel vault, built during the reign of Constantine I. After being buried in the earthquakes of 1169 and 1693, some remains were previously owned by the museum of the Prince of Biscari. Diverse excavations have suggested that the Terme might have extended beyond the current area occupied by buildings between Piazzes Duomo, Università, and San Placido.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Nicolo Ciampini

Discuss this with the author and others

No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation.