Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra, Archaeological museum in Ravenna, Italy.
The Domus dei Tappeti di Pietra is an archaeological museum in Ravenna that displays the remains of a late Roman residential complex with fourteen rooms and ornate mosaic floors. The site lies about 3 meters (10 feet) below today's street level and is accessed from inside the Church of Santa Eufemia.
The residential complex was built in the 5th and 6th centuries and served as a home for wealthy families during the late Roman period. It lay hidden underground until 1993, when construction work for a parking lot led to its accidental discovery.
The mosaic floors show dancing figures and seasonal scenes that reflect the tastes of wealthy late-antique families. Walking above them on the elevated pathways, visitors can observe the details of each composition from a close distance.
The entrance is inside the Church of Santa Eufemia on Via Barbiani, where elevated walkways guide visitors through the rooms. The paths are narrow, so sturdy shoes and a slow pace are recommended to take in the floors properly.
An ancient Roman road runs directly through the site and once separated two distinct buildings from each other. Its position reveals how the street grid shaped the layout of private buildings in the city.
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