اكتشاف مذهل في روما.. كنيسة مخفية داخل حمام روماني قديم

Italian archaeologists have unveiled an astonishing discovery in the Appia Regional Park in Rome, where they found a hidden Christian church within an ancient Roman bath dating back to the second century AD in the Villa dei Quintili, known for its Triton baths.

The park management announced the discovery via a Facebook post in May 2025, noting that the baths, which were used as a social center in the Roman era, were converted in later periods into a church containing a marble-lined basin believed to have been used for baptism, according to the "Fox News" website.

Archaeological studies revealed that the basin underwent two renovations: the first was a deep baptismal pool for full immersion, a major Christian rite in the early days, which was later raised in a subsequent phase.

This discovery indicates that the site transformed into a baptismal church with burial rights, as many graves were found in the area, reinforcing the hypothesis of the existence of a bishopric in the Roman countryside.

This discovery serves as significant evidence of the transition to Christianity in the region, as early Christians repurposed pagan facilities for religious purposes.

These findings are part of a series of discoveries in the Appia Park, which this spring witnessed the finding of a head of a pagan god statue deliberately buried in the foundations of the Church of St. Stephen on the Caelian Hill, a fifth-century church, believed to symbolize the Christians' rejection of paganism.

The park management confirmed that these discoveries open new horizons for understanding cultural and religious transformations in Rome during late antiquity, with ongoing research to document the historical significance of these sites.

The Appia Regional Park is one of the richest archaeological areas in the world, housing the remains of the ancient Appian Way, one of the most important Roman roads, in addition to sites like the Villa dei Quintili, which was a center for social and economic activities.

Roman baths were not just places for cleanliness; they were social centers that included facilities for sports and relaxation, resembling modern gyms.

During late antiquity, with the spread of Christianity, many of these sites were transformed into churches or religious places, reflecting the social and religious transformations in the Roman Empire. These discoveries contribute to enriching knowledge of Roman and Christian history, affirming the importance of Rome as a center for archaeological studies.