In December, as every year, we begin the seasonal covering of the most delicate mosaics in Ostia. This is part of the routine maintenance activities carried out by the Park to ensure the best possible conditions for the conservation of archaeological artefacts and monuments.
The mosaics will be covered with a Delta-Lite sheet, a material that prevents the formation of frost and moisture on the mosaic surfaces and maintains a constant temperature, ensuring that the mosaics are protected from the elements.
The coverings will be placed over mosaics in Ostia Antica and the Necropolis of Porto all’Isola Sacra. In mid-March, or in any case with the arrival of spring, they will be uncovered and returned to public view in time for the warmer weather. We will provide timely notification.
The mosaics are as follows:
Archaeological Area of Ostia antica:
- Regio I: Baths of Buticosus; Temple of Hercules
- Regio II: Sacellum of Porta Romana; Baths of the Cisiarii; Mosaic of the Provinces; Baths of Neptune; Barracks of the Vigili; Square of the Corporations; Caupona of Fortunato; Domus of Apuleius
- Regio III: Nilotic Mosaic of the Garden Houses
- Regio IV: Domus delle Colonne; Domus dei Pesci; Mitreo degli Animali; Polychrome Mosaic of the Domus del Portico di Tufo
- Regio V: Domus of the Stucco Capitals; Insula and Baths of the Envious; Mithraeum of Felicissimo; Mosaic of the Piazzale della Vittoria
Among others, the following remain visible in Regio III: the Mosaic of the Grain Measurers, the mosaics of the House of Cupid and Psyche and the Serapeum, and the mosaics of the Baths of the Seven Sages; in Regio IV, the mosaics of Trajan’s Schola and the mosaic of the Fishmongers’ Tavern; in Regio V, the mosaics in the Domus of the Protyron and the House of the Wrestlers; in addition, the mosaics already protected by canopies remain on display: in Regio IV, the House of Dionysus and the Mithraeum of the Seven Gates; in Regio V, the mosaic of the Domus of Fortuna Annonaria.
Necropolis of Porto all’Isola Sacra:
- tombs 16, 29, E25 (Tomba della Mietitura), E27, E29, E61. The mosaic in Tomb 43 and the mosaics inside the burial buildings remain visible.
Over the next few days, we will be posting updates on the covering operations on the Park’s social media channels, providing real-time updates on the progress.