The Gardens of Agrippina

Known through literary sources, the Horti of Agrippina extended across the Vatican plain, between the Tiber River, the slopes of the Santo Spirito Hill, and St. Peter’s Basilica.

As is well known, the residence included the Circus of Caligula—located in the southern sector of St. Peter’s Basilica—several Julio-Claudian structures on the northern slopes of the Janiculum Hill, and the rooms discovered beneath the Hospital of Santo Spirito.

Now, thanks to archaeological investigations carried out in recent years in the area, it has been possible to identify and understand the layout of two additional pavilions of the vast estate mentioned by ancient writers: the theatre built by Nero, discovered during excavations along Via della Conciliazione within the Palazzo dei Penitenzieri, and the Portico of Caligula, whose remains were partially brought to light in the excavations at Piazza Pia..