Caput Mundi: Roman latrines in Via Garibaldi: restoration of the frescoes and mosaic and new lighting

Caput Mundi Next Generation EU for touristic great events (Mission 1, Component 3, Investment 4.3)

Italy’s Recovery and Resilience Plan increases the number of accessible tourist sites in Rome, creating valid and qualified tourist and cultural alternatives with respect to the crowded central areas, as well as increasing the use of digital technologies, enhance green areas and the sustainability of tourism. The investment envisages six lines of interventions:
1. “Roman Cultural Heritage for EU-Next Generation”, covering the regeneration and restoration of cultural and urban heritage and complexes of high historical-architectural value of the city of Rome;
2. “Jubilee paths” (from pagan to Christian Rome), targeted to the enhancement, safety, anti-seismic consolidation, restoration of places and buildings of historical interest and archaeological pathways;
3. #LaCittàCondivisa, covering the redevelopment of sites in peripheral areas;
4. #Mitingodiverde, covering interventions on parks, historical gardens, villas and fountains;
5. #Roma 4.0, covering the digitalization of cultural services and the development of apps for tourists;
6. #Amanotesa, aimed at increasing the supply of cultural offer to peripheries for social integration.

The investment is financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility by EUR 500 million and includes this project.
Accessibility improvements, like ramps and lifts, will be implemented at the archaeological site entrance. The electrical system will be upgraded with new lighting and a power supply, alongside a new security alarm. Finally, restoration work will include cleaning and integrating wall elements, geometric frescoes, and the mosaic floor. This project is financed by the Recovery and Resilience Facility with EUR 119000. The first interventions will focus on the accessibility of the archaeological site, in accordance with the regulations on architectural barriers, through the implementation of modifications and adaptations at the site entrance to allow easy access to all categories of visitors. Ramps may be built, elevators may be installed, or other solutions may be adopted to overcome architectural barriers and ensure an inclusive experience for all visitors.
In terms of systems, one of the main interventions will be the upgrading of the existing electrical system. This could include replacing the light fixtures with more efficient and environmentally friendly models that provide better illumination of the archaeological site. In addition, a new ACEA meter will be installed to ensure an adequate power supply to the complex. An alarm system will also be installed to ensure the safety of the site and prevent any vandalism or unauthorised intrusion.
As for the wall apparatus, several restoration and conservation operations will be carried out. Cleaning of bricks and opus reticulatum wall elements will be carried out to remove the dirt accumulated over time. Then, revision and integration operations of the missing elements will be carried out in order to restore the original appearance of the work. In addition, inconsistent grouting will be modified to ensure a uniform and consistent appearance. The geometric frescoes at the site and the mosaic floor will undergo cleaning operations to preserve their aesthetic integrity. The operations will be aimed at removing dirt, deposits, and other substances that could compromise the beauty and legibility of the frescoes and mosaic floor.