Horrea Piperataria, Archaeological site near Roman Forum, Italy.
Horrea Piperataria consists of brick-built structures visible along the Via Sacra beneath the Basilica of Maxentius. The warehouse was divided into separate chambers designed to store different types of goods efficiently.
Emperor Domitian ordered this warehouse built in the first century to handle growing trade volumes. A major fire struck the complex about a century later during Emperor Commodus's reign, causing serious damage.
This warehouse was Rome's main hub for spice trade and shows how vital imports from Egypt and Arabia were to the city's economy. Visitors can sense the scale of ancient commerce in the remaining brick structures today.
This site lies beneath a major basilica and is not freely accessible, though some structures can be seen from outside. Visiting requires careful steps and understanding that you are near an active archaeological area.
The building had specialized ventilation and drainage systems to protect valuable spices from humidity. This engineering reveals how sophisticated Roman logistics and commodity protection actually were.
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