What Happens When You Build a Subway Line in Rome

An alternative title for this blog post would be, This is one reason why everything takes so long in Rome (well, one of many reasons). You turn over a spoonful of dirt and find ancient stuff — LOTS of ancient stuff.

Rome has traditionally had two subway lines, with the rather uninspired names of Line A and Line B (we are on Line A, with the handy Spagna metro stop a couple minutes’ away).

They have been excavating the route for a new line, known as (wait for it… ) Line C. Work on Line C started in 2007-08. It’s created a real mess, which visitors to Rome have witnessed around the Colosseum and at Piazza Venezia.

Line C crosses Line A at San Giovanni. The excavations for Line C found so much ancient stuff that they built a very cool museum right there in the metro station.

The sleek, cool new museum at Rome’s S. Giovanni subway station.

Here is a bit of what was found.

An ancient basket, preserved enough that you can visualize what it looked like.

 

Seeds, pits.

 

Oil lamps.

 

A decorative roof tile.  The house must have been pretty neat!

 

Lots of water drainage system components and pipes.

 

A particularly lovely bit of pottery: a bird is head just visible in the center.

 

A female torso adorned in graceful robes.

 

A sensual relief of a woman with a rather sheer dress.

Half of the museum is within the part of the metro station where you need a ticket, the other half is outside, so it’s free. It’s easy enough to take the metro to San Giovanni. Make sure to see what you can before going through the turnstile. And don’t forget to see the rest when you do exit.

Published by spanishstepsapartment

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In the heart of Rome's Historic Center, between the beautiful Spanish Steps and the famous Trevi Fountain, this luxury two bedroom, two bathroom apartment is surrounded by fine dining and fabulous shopping. It is within walking distance of the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, and many other historic sites and museums, and near the subway, taxi stands, bus stops, and bike rental. Located in a traditional Roman palazzo, the apartment was fully renovated in late 2010 and is now available for vacation and short-term rental.