The Domvs Romana is one of the sites selected for the Horizon Europe STECCI project, which
aims to develop sustainable protection strategies for cultural heritage sites vulnerable to climate
change. Situated between Mdina and Rabat, this archaeological site offers valuable insights into
Roman-era architecture, art, and daily life while also serving as an important case study for
assessing the effects of environmental conditions on limestone structures. The project focuses
on the outdoor areas of the Domvs, evaluating how exposure to Malta’s Mediterranean climate—
characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters—affects the preservation of its built
heritage.

Originally constructed before the beginning of the 1st century BC, the Domvs Romana functioned
as an aristocratic townhouse, adorned with fine polychrome mosaics, comparable to those found
in Pompeii and Sicily, as well as a colonnaded peristyle. The site’s architectural and artistic
features, including mosaic pavements, painted wall plaster, and statuary, reflect the influence of
Hellenistic and Roman artistic traditions. Water irrigation and cistern systems also point to
elaborate engineering. Excavations have revealed significant artefacts, including imperial Roman
statues, coins, glassware, and tableware, providing insight into the lifestyle of Malta’s Roman
elite. The site’s historical significance extends beyond the Roman period; by the 11th century,
under the Fatimid Caliphate and into the early Norman period, the area was repurposed as a
Muslim cemetery, with over 245 burials, some including tombstones inscribed in Naskh or Kufic
script quoting Quranic passages. The multi-period use of the site highlights the evolving cultural
landscape of Malta over centuries.

The STECCI project’s focus on the Domvs Romana stems from its vulnerability to climate-induced

deterioration. Malta’s limestone heritage sites, including this one, face increasing risks from
rising temperatures, fluctuating humidity, and acid rain, all of which contribute to surface erosion
and biological growth, weakening the structural integrity of outdoor features. The project’s
research will contribute to developing conservation methodologies that can be applied to similar
stone monuments across Europe. The outdoor area, including the surrounding archaeological
landscape, is a key focus of study, as it provides crucial data on how long-term exposure to
climate conditions affects limestone surfaces and architectural remains.

The Domvs Romana is currently a protected heritage site managed by Heritage Malta and serves
as an educational museum dedicated to Malta’s Roman and Islamic past. The site also serves as
the focus of the Melite Civitas Romana Project, which is actively excavating the area surrounding
the Domus to better determine its role in and the extent of the Roman landscape. Established in
1882, the Domvs Romana was the first purposely built structure in the Maltese Islands meant to
protect an archaeological site and collection within it, underscoring its cultural and historical
importance.

Heritage Malta, the national agency for museums, conservation practice, and cultural heritage,
manages the Domus Romana, with its Digitisation Department leading efforts in digital
acquisition, gamification, low-cost digitisation methodologies, and virtual tours to enhance
educational and outreach initiatives. Within the STECCI project, Heritage Malta focus on creating
accurate and accessible 3D models of cultural heritage sites, including the Domvs Romana,
while developing interactive digital experiences that align with the European Union’s objectives
for cultural heritage digitisation and preservation.

https://steccihorizoneu.com/condition-assessment-task-force-on-site-domvs-romana-malta/
https://steccihorizoneu.com/stecci-comments-malta/