Domus Romana

The Domus Romana beneath Asti preserves part of a Roman townhouse from Hasta, the settlement that preceded the medieval city. Its remains include a dining-room mosaic and an underfloor heating system.

Why it matters

The house offers a view of domestic life in Roman northern Italy, complementing the temples and public structures more commonly associated with ancient towns. Its position near the Roman decumanus and forum reflects the urban setting of a prosperous household.

What to notice

A mosaic from the triclinium, or dining room, dates to the first or second century CE. Rows of small pillars remain from the hypocaust, the system that circulated hot air beneath raised floors. Fragments of coloured wall plaster show how the rooms were decorated.

Context and history

Hasta was an established Roman settlement by the second century BCE and developed with a forum and a regular street grid. The domus belonged to the imperial-period town and included a mosaic dining room and heated rooms. The house was eventually covered by the growing medieval city. Archaeological excavation and conservation later made its remains part of Asti's cultural heritage.