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THE ROMAN DOMUS UNDER THE CONVENT OF SANTA SUSANNA
March 6, 2022
Thanks to a special exclusive opening it will be possible to discover the marvellous and lesser-known underground area of the Church of Santa Susanna. The Church is one of the oldest Titular churches in the city of Rome.
The Early Christian church, built on the remains of three overlapping Roman villas, was situated immediately outside the wall of the Baths of Diocletian and the Servian walls which were the earliest defence walls of the city. According to tradition, the church was built on the house of Susanna where the saint was also martyred. In 4th century, it was called Church of Santa Susanna “ad duas domos”, (near the two houses) because of the precious archaeological remains discovered under the church and monastery.
The whole area is an ancient archaeological site brought to light in several stages, starting from the first 19th century excavations. At the request of the Monastery parish priest, the area is still being subjected to archaeological research in order to investigate its history and its development over time. A very large area remained virtually unknown for a long time, it has progressively revealed amazing finds and interesting facts to historians and scholars.
During the visit you will be retracing the development of this area of Rome, where an early Christian church was built on the villas belonging to Caio and Gabino, respectively the uncle and father of the martyr Susanna. You will have the chance to discover the remains of the Marcio Aqueduct thanks to the findings of an ancient Roman well, walk along precious mosaic floors and admire a burial site and decorative fragments of frescoed plaster.
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