Domus Romana

The exhibition area is located in the basement of the municipally owned "Canuto Borelli" retirement home. The archaeological evidence consists primarily of the remains of a domus from the second half of the 1st century AD. The term domus refers to the dwelling, usually a single-story building, used by wealthy Roman families in the cities of the Empire. The Asti building stood about eighty meters north of the western city gate, the Torre Rossa. Among the remains of the domus, of particular interest is the mosaic carpet that decorated the white cocciopesto floor of the dining room (triclinium). The mosaic, with a white background and inserts of round, rectangular, and rhomboid tiles in colored marble, is enriched with figures of fish and ivy sprigs and is bordered by two frames of black and white tiles: one in a herringbone pattern and the outer one in a braided pattern. The Smarticket is the combined ticket that allows access to the Domus Romana and the other five sites of the Asti Musei Foundation; the ticket, valid for seven days after first validation, can be purchased at Palazzo Mazzetti. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Last admission at 6:00 pm. Closed on Mondays. Photo: Roman Domus, second half of the 1st century AD, mosaic. © Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities