Domus del Chirurgo - The Surgeon's House in Rimini
Italiano
The area extends over 700 m² and includes several buildings, of which the most interesting is the
so-called Domus of the Surgeon. These are the remains of an ancient Roman domus
dating back to the 2nd century AD.
The excavations,
started in 1989 and opened to the public in 2007, have also brought to light other significant structures: remains of a
late imperial dwelling, traces of an early medieval settlement with a large underlying cemetery that highlight a
remarkable historical stratification.
The large number of findings, mosaics, and frescoes found inside, well preserved, have allowed a
faithful reconstruction of the house and the identity of the owner, as well as shedding light on a fascinating history
of Rimini's past.
The most exceptional find at the site is a collection of about 150 surgical instruments that left no doubt about the identity of the homeowner: a doctor. It seems that Eutyches, his name, came from Hellenic environments and, as often happened in antiquity, had then trained on the battlefields. Indeed, the instruments found were used mainly for bone traumas and wounds, suggesting that Eutyches was a military doctor.
Frescoes and mosaics have emerged from the excavations. These findings testify to the high rank of the homeowner. The mosaic floors can still be admired in the domus, while other mosaics are preserved in the archaeological section of the City Museum. Here you can find the opening hours to visit the museum.
The exceptional collection of surgical instruments found in the domus left no doubt about the profession of the homeowner. The instruments were largely used for interventions on bone traumas and war wounds. Discover all the objects found in the Domus.
The owner of the Domus was a military doctor specialized in surgery who came from the East and was probably called Eutyches. His story is exciting and unique in the archaeological landscape of Northern Italy.
The domus was destroyed by a fire. Around the VI-VII century, the area was used as a cemetery, perhaps connected to a nearby Christian religious building. Visiting the archaeological complex allows you to see the remains of this cemetery.
The Surgeon's Domus is located in the historic center of Rimini. See opening hours and prices.
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Search for an accommodation on www.alberghi.it, find hotels and B&Bs to visit the Domus near the historic center in Rimini.
Show moreThe Surgeon's House is an archaeological site in the historic center of Rimini preserving the remains of a Roman domus from the 2nd century AD, famous for the rich set of ancient surgical instruments unearthed there.
The site is located in Piazza Luigi Ferrari, in the heart of the historic center of Rimini, within easy walking distance of the railway station.
The excavations began in 1989, during works in Piazza Ferrari, and the site opened to the public on December 7th, 2007.
The archaeological area covers about 700 square metres, with layers ranging from the Roman age to the Middle Ages.
Mosaics, frescoes, decorative plasters and above all a surgical kit of more than 150 iron and bronze instruments, one of the richest of the Roman world.
The name ("House of the Surgeon") comes from the rich surgical kit found inside one of the rooms, which suggested it was the home and practice of a Roman surgeon named Eutyches.
The full ticket costs 7 euros; the reduced 5-euro ticket applies to children up to 14, visitors over 65 and groups of at least 12 people. Admission is free on Wednesdays and on the first Sunday of each month.
Tuesday to Sunday and holidays 10:00-13:00 and 16:00-19:00. Closed on non-holiday Mondays. In July and August the site also opens on Wednesday and Friday evenings, from 9 pm to 11 pm.
Yes. For groups (minimum 25 people) the guided tour costs 30 euros per group in addition to the entrance ticket and must be booked. A guided tour is also scheduled every Sunday at 5 pm, booking required.
The complete visit, including the walk on the walkways above the excavations, takes about 30-45 minutes, depending on the guide and the pace of the group.
Yes. The Domus is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility: a ramp leads to the suspended walkways that cross the excavations. The square is in a restricted traffic area, with parking spaces for disabled visitors nearby. For specific needs, it is advisable to contact the museum before your visit.
The visit can easily be combined with the nearby City Museum "Luigi Tonini", which displays many of the finds unearthed in the Domus, as well as a reconstruction of the taberna medica. A single ticket covers both sites.
Piazza Ferrari - 47921 Rimini · tel. 0541 79 38 51 · musei@comune.rimini.it
