Near Largo Argentina – #8 tram and several bus lines
Never saw it? Its right off Largo Argentina, in the heart of Rome’s historic center – a unique space and a unique museum: simply put, the Crypta Balbi is a museum of everything that’s been on that spot for over 2,000 years. And since this is Rome, a lot has been there. It’s a great way to look at history, not just in terms of ‘ancient’ and ‘modern’ but in terms of the innumerable incarnations of the city throughout its long and not-so-simple history.
The site was hit upon in 1981, when an archeological team digging near here discovered the colonnaded portico of the Theatre of Lucius Cornelius Balbus, some nearby grain stores and evidence of later, medieval occupation of the site. Over the centuries, the site evolved into markets, warehouses, churches, houses, workshops, factories, hospices, food distribution centers, and was finally left to ruin.
Inaugurated in 2000, the museum houses the archaeological remains from that first dig and so much more. The first-floor exhibit, “Archaeology and history of an urban landscape" weaves the findings of the 1981 excavations into the context of history. The section “Rome from antiquity to the middle ages.” illustrates the life and transformations of Rome – and this site – between the 5th and 10th centuries AD. Explanatory text is offered in English as well as Italian.
Ok, its not the Coliseum, but if you’re free for an afternoon and want to dig below the surface in order to understand a bit about the history of this great city (there’s an interesting bookstore too), the Crypta Balbi is not far off the beaten path and definitely a ‘Must See’.