Archaeological Area of Alba Fucens, L'Aquila | Hours, exhibitions and artworks on Artsupp

Alba Fucens was founded at the end of the 4th century BC in the territory of the Equi after their defeat by the Romans, in a strategic position for controlling central Italy. The excavations carried out by the Accademia Belgica between 1949 and 1979, along with more recent research, have brought the city back to life, revealing a large part of the urban layout. The city was equipped with a defensive wall made of large stone blocks, with four city gates that are still partially preserved today. It is now possible to admire various public and private structures of the ancient city that are located around the ancient streets renamed Via del Miliario, Via dei Pilastri, and Via dell’Elefante. Starting the visit from the latter, on the left there is a colonnaded portico (diribitorium) where public assemblies were held, and on the right, the remains of the basilica divided into three naves are visible. South of this building, you can observe the macellum, a place for the sale of foodstuffs, surrounded by several shops. Others are visible on Via dei Pilastri, while on the opposite side, you can see what remains of the baths. The elevated floors with small brick columns (suspensurae) are preserved in the building, which served for the circulation of hot air, along with several mosaics. South of the thermal complex is the Sanctuary of Hercules, with a small rectangular shrine preceded by a porticoed square, from where the colossal seated marble statue of Hercules comes, now exhibited at the MAN in Villa Frigerj in Chieti. Another temple was located southwest of the settlement, on the hill now called Colle S. Pietro. The sacred building dedicated to Apollo was erected in the 3rd century BC and in the 6th century AD, it was transformed into a Christian church. The interior is divided into three naves by reused Roman columns, and in the central one, there is a raised tribune decorated with colored marble mosaics, while at the back, before the apse, there is a balustrade with columns decorated with marble inlays (for information on visiting arrangements, you can consult the page related to the Church of San Pietro in Alba Fucens). From the little hill of the church, you can see the amphitheater of Alba Fucens. The construction of the elliptical-shaped building took place in the 1st century AD, involving the expropriation of an area previously occupied by a domus. With the end of the Roman Empire, the decline also began for the city of Alba Fucens, abandoned by its inhabitants around the 6th century AD; however, on the hill northeast of the city, the medieval village of Albe arose, destroyed by the earthquake of 1915, and whose ruins are still visible along with the remains of the Orsini Castle built in the 14th century. The archaeological area is open to the public and freely accessible.

	opens - closes	last entry
monday	08:00 - 19:00
tuesday	08:00 - 19:00
wednesday	08:00 - 19:00
thursday	08:00 - 19:00
friday	08:00 - 19:00
saturday	08:00 - 19:00
sunday	08:00 - 19:00

Archaeological Area of Alba Fucens

Archaeological Area of Alba Fucens

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