Monuments
Insula dell'Ara Coeli

The remains of an insula are located between the Vittoriano and the staircase to the Ara Coeli. Namely a house for lease, the insula was the most common type of habitation in imperial Rome.

Saved from demolition in the thirties, the roman dwelling was found inside the eighteenth century church of S. Rita, which was removed and later reconstructed between the Teatro di Marcello and piazza Campitelli.

The romanesque bell tower and an arch decorated with a fourteenth century fresco were also recovered; and are still visible as elements of the church of S.Biagio de mercato, which became the church of S.Rita.

The building had at least five floors, which are still conserved today. On the ground floor, the tabernae are still visible; the manager of the taberna probably lived in the upper level, or mezzanine. The higher, remaining floors are connected by an internal stairway which was built in the middle ages.

The building, fabricated of brickwork in the second century AD, has a wall executed in reticulated work which may have belonged to a first century AD structure that was erected on the hills of the capitoline