Horrea Piperataria Opens to the Public for the First Time

The ancient spice warehouses of the Roman emperors, the Horrea Piperataria, open to the public for the first time.

Built during Emperor Domitian’s reign in the 1st century CE, these warehouses stored spices from Egypt, Arabia, and India. Goods included pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, and incense, used in religious ceremonies.

Hidden beneath the Basilica of Maxentius for centuries, the Horrea were uncovered during a 2019 excavation by Sapienza University and the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum.

“This is a significant day as we return a part of ancient Rome to visitors,” said Alfonsina Russo, the park’s director.

Visitors can now explore the site via a renovated path along the ancient Carinae alley. A suspended glass walkway offers clear views of the excavations, while multimedia projections reveal the site’s historical evolution. The accessible path ensures inclusivity for all visitors.

Guided tours begin on 21 December and include 30 minutes on-site and 45 minutes of immersive multimedia presentations. Tours last 75 minutes and with a ten-person group limit.

The Horrea retain their original three-tiered design with courtyards, drainage wells, and opus spicatum brick flooring. Excavations revealed architectural details like a travertine-lined basin and courtyard shops.

According to Sapienza University’s Professor Domenico Palombi, the project involved 150 students over multiple years. “An extraordinary team worked on everything from stratigraphy to graphic documentation,” Palombi said.

Galen of Pergamon, a renowned 2nd-century Greek physician, famously rented space in the Horrea for storing books and medicinal herbs. He described them as fireproof and guarded, making them “the safest place in Rome.” Unfortunately, he was wrong as the Horrea Piperataria were destroyed in 192 CE during the Commodus fire, which devastated the Roman Forum.