Although this large monumental complex has been known since the second half of the 16th century, only recently has it been subjected to planned archaeological investigations; built in the Age of Trajan on Claudian-era piers and situated between the basins of the Harbours of Claudius and Trajan, it covered an area of approximately two hectares. It had a monumental colonnade on the western façade, called the “Terrace of Trajan”; a succession of richly decorated peristyles and bath complexes was located on the first storey, while the ground floor was organized as a mesh of corridors and service environments that have yet to be completely investigated. The statues and other finds recovered between 1864 and 1867, considerable in quantity and of marvellous quality, have raised the possibility that this was a sort of imperial residence. According to a recent hypothesis, part of the complex was where the port officials had their operations. The Imperial Palace also included a small amphitheatre, built in the Severan Age.
Aerial view of the Terrace of Trajan
(photo: Portus Project)
Polychrome mosaic from the residential Peristilium
(photo: Portus Project)
Reconstructed view of the Imperial Palace
(Portus Project/Artas Media)
The brick staircase linking the Cryptoporticus to the first story of the Imperial Palace
(photo: P. Verduchi)
Statue of an athlete from the 1864 excavations of the Imperial Palace
(Torlonia Collection)