Costa Balenae, archaeological site in Riva Ligure, Italy
Costa Balenae is an archaeological site in Riva Ligure, Italy, where remains of a Roman villa and an early Christian basilica have been excavated. The site sits in a bend of the Don river, above the Via Aurelia road, revealing the layout of an ancient settlement with residential areas, burial grounds, and religious structures.
The site was in use from at least the 2nd century before the common era, initially as a stop on the ancient Iulia Augusta road with a wealthy villa active until the 4th century. Around the 6th century, a Christian basilica with an octagonal baptismal font was built, with its side aisles later converted into burial grounds, reflecting Christianity's growing importance in the region.
The name Costa Balenae may derive from the ancient Ligurian god Belenus, linked to fertility and later merged with Apollo by the Romans. Over centuries, the place served as a meeting point where people from different regions exchanged goods and shared their spiritual traditions.
The site is positioned above the Aurelia road and a coastal path, making it easily accessible from nearby roads and trails. Visitors can explore the location today through a multimedia space in Riva Ligure's town hall, as the actual ruins are not directly accessible for walking.
Excavations have uncovered coins, pottery from across the Mediterranean, and remains of plaster-lined pools that may have been part of a hot spring complex. These discoveries suggest the place maintained intense trade connections and possibly served as a spa destination for wealthy travelers.
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