Rome: Vicus Caprarius and Crypta Balbi

 It was our last day in Rome but we didn't let the dust settle under our feet. We were heading in the direction of the Trevi Fountain.

Oh no, he is not lost already! The real heroine of this trip has been Miss Google Maps GPS, closely followed by SIMCorner who kept us connected to the world without drama.

Another newish sight to see in Rome is Vicus Caprarius, an archaeological remains of a Roman house and aqueduct. It is nine metres below the road level. We missed the early entry so were booked in for 1 pm. We filled in that time sitting near the Trevi Fountain. You do see some amazing things when you just sit and watch. Oh, we had gelati too. That got my total for this trip to 51 different flavours, not as high as on other occasions but the visit to Naples meant granita took precedence for a week. And of course we threw another coin in the fountain.

The highlight of Vicus Caprarius is the immense water tanks. Originally it was a house with a water supply for the area, dating from the 1st century A.D, later it was changed to hold more water - 150,000 litres.

The display includes items found from the ruins of the house; items that show that it was a house of quality. These include statues, mosaics, plate wear, coins and glass.

Using the GPS we made our way towards the last of the four museums on our Museum Pass. We made a lunch stop in a vicolo (laneway) where they had a mist machine  cooling the air for the clients. 

I had fried zucchini flowers, so sweet.

We then completed our journey to  Crypta Balbi. By now I was ruined ... ancient ruined out, that is.

The complex at Balbus was constructed in the 1st century B.C. by Lucius Cornelius Balbus. It included a theatre and a place to relax and enjoy refreshments. Now it is the only museum that is situated entirely on an archeaological research site. Amazingly it exposed 2000 years of history for all to see. The interpretive boards and displays are very detailed and require lots of time and concentration.

In this mock up of the area at the time of Balbus you can see the theatre and the crypt at the back of the stage.

There are many display cabinets of items found in the digs. 

From an upper window you can see the various stages and ages of habitation in this area, at the rear is the work site which looks like it could provide archaeological finds for the next thousand years.

At the exit was this interesting piece of trivia: the birth of the Souvenir.