Horti Spei Veteris, Archaeological site near Porta Maggiore, Rome, Italy
Horti Spei Veteris is an archaeological site near Porta Maggiore containing remains of Roman imperial residences, palaces, and an amphitheater from ancient times. The ruins show foundations, wall fragments, and building footprints scattered across a large area, revealing how a grand Roman estate was laid out and used.
Emperor Septimius Severus founded this imperial estate in the late 2nd century, and it was later expanded with more residential buildings by his successor Heliogabalus. The amphitheater was eventually incorporated into the Aurelian Walls when the city reinforced its defenses in the 3rd century.
The site shows how wealthy Roman families built grand villas with gardens and entertainment spaces during the imperial period. Walking through today, you can still see the footprints of these homes and the amphitheater that later served a completely different purpose as part of the city's defenses.
The site is not fully open to the public as it sits in a residential neighborhood, but parts of the ruins are visible from the street and accessible from outside. Your best approach is to walk around the Church of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, where you can view the walls and structures of the amphitheater from ground level.
Excavations here uncovered statues of the Muses Polyhymnia and Melpomene, showing how richly decorated the imperial residence once was. Coins from different imperial periods suggest the place was occupied and used across many generations.
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