A mosaic floor with black and white tesserae, dating back to the second century AD, is the most intact and refined mark left in Bevagna by the ancient Romans who called the city Mevania.
The mosaic work is what remains of the ancient public baths that were located near the cardo massimo (main street) and the probable forum of the Roman municipium.
The mosaic decorates the environment that can be identified as the frigidarium, (the room for cold baths) and is large (12x6.75 m): in the centre octopuses, dolphins and lobsters frolic, and on the short sides, tritons and sea-horses are arranged symmetrically.
This is a typical subject of decorations in baths, drawing on marine-type mythological and ornamental repertoire. Visitors can learn about the history of the baths thanks to the illustrative panels at the entrance.
Also near the forum, you can find other Roman traces dating back to the first and second centuries AD: the remains of a temple later transformed into the (former) church of Our Lady of the Snow and, in the upper part of the city, the curve of the ancient theatre traced by the houses arranged in a semicircle (two fluted marble columns are located inside the post office) with the remains of ambulatory, some of which can be visited.
These are the last vestiges remaining of Mevania.
Per informazioni:
tel. +39 0742 360081, via di Porta Guelfa 2, Bevagna
www.sistemamuseo.it
bevagna@sistemamuseo.it
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