Domus di Tito Macro

The Domus of Tito Macro at Fondo Cossar preserves the plan of an extensive Roman residence in Aquileia. An atrium, reception rooms, garden and commercial premises reveal different aspects of domestic life within the ancient city.

Why it matters

The house developed from the first century BC and remained in use, with alterations, into the sixth century AD. Its long occupation connects the prosperous Roman city with the transformations of late antiquity. The modern name derives from a stone weight inscribed T.MACR, conventionally interpreted as a reference to an owner.

What to notice

The atrium includes a central water basin, with a well nearby. Beyond it, a mosaic-floored reception space leads towards the garden and further rooms. A kitchen and the remains of shops, including a bakery, place work and commerce alongside the more formal areas of the residence.

Context and history

Partial investigations in the 1950s preceded University of Padua excavations between 2009 and 2015. Coins, a gold ring and a fifth-century coin hoard add material evidence to the architectural plan. The protective structure helps express the house's spatial relationships while conserving the excavated remains.