Parco archeologico di Forum Sempronii

About the museum

The remains of the Roman city of Forum Sempronii lie about 2 km north-east of present-day Fossombrone, in the San Martino del Piano area, on land owned by the Province of Pesaro and Urbino. The origin of the city is traced to Gaius Sempronius Gracchus, who was in these places around 130 BC for the application of the agrarian law promoted by his brother Tiberius. Having become a municipium in 49 BC, the city reached its height in the first two centuries of the Empire. In late antiquity it was gradually abandoned for reasons of security, and the parish church of San Martino was later built on its ruins.

Excavations, begun in 1974, have revealed the urban layout of a settlement of about 25 hectares, with a regular grid of streets parallel or perpendicular to the via Flaminia, which crossed it from Rome to Rimini. Long stretches of paving of Furlo stone, the paving of the forum, a rectangular square surrounded by a portico with three temples on the north side, and the Augusteum, a building dedicated to Augustus that housed the famous bronze statue of Victory, now in the museum at Kassel, have been brought to light.

South of the Flaminia are the remains of the House of the Rape of Europa, the House of the Exotic Animals and the House of Asclepius with the “Mosaic of the Dogs”, as well as an imposing thermal complex still being excavated. In December 2020 the redevelopment of the park was completed, with work on the entrance, a gravel path and the restoration of the mosaics of the House of Asclepius. The movable finds, including the mosaic of Europa and the painted plaster with exotic animals, are displayed in a room of the Museo Archeologico “Vernarecci” in Fossombrone.

Highlights

• Stretches of the via Flaminia with Furlo stone paving
• Forum with portico and three temples
• Augusteum, a building dedicated to Augustus
• House of the Rape of Europa and House of the Exotic Animals
• House of Asclepius with the “Mosaic of the Dogs”
• Thermal complex still under excavation

Permanent exhibition

• Parco archeologico di Forum Sempronii – Archaeological area of the Roman city with paved streets, forum, Augusteum, mosaic houses and thermal complexes. Excavations are ongoing.

Operated by

Provincia di Pesaro e Urbino (proprietaria dell’area)

Admission & discounts

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Accessibility

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Kids & families

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Getting there & parking

The park is about 2 km north-east of the centre of Fossombrone, in the San Martino del Piano area, along the via Flaminia.

Amenities & dining

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Events & venue rental

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