
Archaeologists uncover hidden Christian church within Ancient Roman bathhouse
The Appian Way Regional Park, an urban park in Rome, announced the discovery in a Facebook post earlier in May. Officials said the discovery was made at the Triton Baths, located within the Villa of Sette Bassi.
Historians found that, in ancient times, the complex was "transformed" into a church.
"[It] contained a marble-lined basin, interpreted as an ancient baptistery," said the post, which was translated from Italian to English.
The baths date back to the second century A.D. Though the park did not specify what year the church was developed, scholars generally say that Late Antiquity occurred between the third and sixth centuries.
Bathhouses were a significant part of daily life in Ancient Rome and Greece, where they were considered social settings for both military personnel and civilians.
Some lavish complexes also included exercise facilities and heated rooms for relaxation, resembling modern gyms.
By studying the basin at the Triton Baths, archaeologists were able to determine how the Ancient Roman complex was transformed into a baptismal setting.
"The basin shows two renovations: a first deeper basin followed by a second phase in which the bottom was raised," the announcement noted.
"The rite of baptism, which in larger basins involved a full immersion of the believer, represented – especially in earlier times – the most important sacrament for adhering to the new religion."
Appian Way Regional Park said archaeologists "are likely facing a baptismal church, with burial rights."
"The presence of a bishop's seat in the heart of the Roman countryside could explain the presence of the numerous burials identified," the statement added.
The park also called the find "a key element for understanding Late Antiquity in Rome."
"[This is] a discovery that opens new scenarios on the Christianization of the territory near Rome," the post added.
"The studies are just beginning, but the significance of the discovery is truly great!"
Appian Way Regional Park is no stranger to historical discoveries.
Earlier this spring, the park shared another ancient find while excavating a Catholic church on its premises: the head of an ancient deity.
"The significance of the discovery is truly great!"
The head was found while excavators worked at the Basilica of St. Stephen on Caelian Hill, a fifth-century church.
It was discovered in the foundation of the church, and may have been intentionally buried as a way for Christians to disavow polytheism.
"The research results will contribute not only to the specific knowledge of the artifact but also to the enrichment of the historical-artistic framework of the Appia Antica territory in the late antique period — providing new elements for understanding the cultural and settlement dynamics of the era," the park said at the time.
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Travel + Leisure
5 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
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If there's one brand that's completely changed the way I don't just live, but pack, it's Quince. I used to overthink every outfit, overpacking to the point of paying hundreds of dollars for my suitcases. Now, even though I still check more than a carry-on, my bags are much more streamlined thanks to Quince's versatile—and affordable—travel wardrobe staples. No matter where I go (but especially Europe), the brand's linen, washable silk, and Italian leather pieces make their way into my suitcase. As timeless as these stylish staples are on their own, they're even more polished when paired together to create enviable outfits ready for any European itinerary. My favorite thing about Quince, though, is the price. Most pieces are under $75, and the quality rivals that of much pricier brands. Whether I'm wandering ancient cobblestone streets or heading to a Tuscan vineyard for lunch, these are the kind of clothes that help me feel comfy yet pulled together, wherever I land. I have these stretchy, wide-leg pants in white and traditional blue denim, and I get compliments every time I wear them. Although I haven't worn them in Europe yet, I know they will be perfect for the streets of Rome, Milan, Paris, or Prague with a cute tucked-in tee, linen vest, or soft and seamless bodysuit. I like to cuff the bottoms for added style and pair them with slip-on loafers or woven sandals. Plus, for just $50, you can get as many colors as you'd like for half the cost of other brands. When I say I live in linen during the summer, I'm not exaggerating. My entire wardrobe revolves around a few of my favorite Quince linen pieces, and this breezy maxi skirt definitely makes the cut. It's breathable, lightweight, and flattering, and looks as effortlessly polished with an oversized linen button-up as it does a bikini top. Not only is it easy to pack, but it rings in at under $40. Even though I love Quince's linen pieces, I have to give props to its incredible gauze fabric. 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Give me a fisherman cardigan any day of the week. Despite its chunky fit, this piece is actually super light and can be worn just as much in summer as in winter. When I'm cosplaying a wealthy New Englander, I tie it around my shoulders. However, most of the time, I'm rocking this comfy cardigan over my breezy dresses and tanks. Although the speckled beige goes with anything, I'm eyeing the sky blue for my Italian Riviera outfit dreams. To me, there is nothing quite as chic as an oversized white button-down. I wear this cotton poplin top more than any other item in my closet, especially during the summer. It's so lightweight and instantly pulls together any look—whether thrown over a tank and shorts or tied and worn as a cape with a maxi skirt or jeans. I especially love wearing this long-sleeved version with chunky layered jewelry and wedges or espadrilles, but really, any way you wear it will garner compliments abroad. You've heard me gush about gauze already, but I'm taking another opportunity to sing the praises of this super-soft fabric. I have this smocked jumpsuit in cherry red, and I always receive compliments on both the color and fit. The flattering wide-leg style and smocked top mean it truly works for any body type. I like to pair the jumpsuit with white sneakers and a delicate necklace, but I dream of wearing it with a statement necklace and high heels for a dressier look. Linen is my love language, and I'm not afraid to admit it. Add in a matching set, and I'm endlessly smitten. This matching linen shirt and shorts set works for any occasion or itinerary, from the flight to Europe to a hillside lunch in Positano to a low-key coastal dinner in Lagos. I prefer my linen oversized, so I sized up for a trendy, chic look. I have the set in white, but it also comes in gingham, stripe, flax, black, and more travel-friendly hues. I've been on the lookout for that perfect in-between-seasons shoe, and these woven leather flats totally nail it. The leather is buttery-soft, and the woven texture gives them an effortlessly elevated look. I recently wore them with linen pants and a tucked-in T-shirt, but I can already envision them with flowy skirts, jeans, or even a fall sweater dress. The cashew color is neutral enough to go with literally everything in my closet, instantly transporting me to a quaint cafe in France. Dressed up or down, there's nothing more versatile than a basic oversized tee. This organic cotton shirt is one of my favorites for various reasons. First, it clocks in at just $20, so you can stock up on a few colors to outfit your travel wardrobe. Plus, it's super flattering and ultra-breathable, with a slub fit that easily tucks into jeans and skirts. I wore this white tee on a flight and immediately to dinner, and it held up better than my pricier tops. The white option is on a weekly rotation for me, and I just placed an order for the black. I didn't know a pair of pants could make me feel this comfortable and pulled-together. These high-waisted paperbag pants offer relaxed structure in the best way possible. The tie waist defines your shape without feeling restrictive, and the lightweight fabric drapes just right. I wore the comfy pants with my white crewneck tee on a flight to Napa and felt like I belonged in first class. I've also paired them with a fitted tank and my Italian loafer mules for an in-office day (and happy hour right after). I don't think any item of clothing has ever made me feel quite as cool as this linen vest. The French blue color adds extra flair without trying too hard, and the breathable European linen makes it perfect for everything from 100-degree Chicago days to breezy evenings in Cannes. 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I've also seen this exact skirt styled on the street with white sneakers and a chunky sweater, which might be my go-to when the weather finally dips. I've never been into designer bags, but I've loved the Bottega Veneta handwoven bag for as long as I can remember. However, I'm not one to shell out thousands on a handbag, so I was stoked to find this Quince lookalike for a fraction of the price. The handwoven Italian leather feels luxe and soft right out of the box, and the slouchy shape gives an effortlessly cool energy. The cognac color is rich, timeless, and pairs beautifully with just about everything I own. It's the kind of bag that looks designer but without the four-figure guilt. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
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Vogue
2 days ago
- Vogue
This Idyllic New Hotel in the Hills of Florence Feels Like an Instant Classic
You'd also be remiss not to have an aperitivo—or, for that matter, a digestivo—in Bar Bertelli, the wood-paneled former headmaster's office that features a handful of charming nods to the building's former life, whether in the portraits of former head boys that line the gaps between the bookshelves and the ceiling, or the cocktails inspired by history textbooks they discovered in the renovation process. The Timoteo, for example, is inspired by the Greek classics, and blends tequila blanco with a cold-pressed cucumber cordial and a dash of yogurt to create a refreshing, tzatziki-like tonic—yes, it's a little odd, but it's also oddly delicious. Photo: Courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection Photo: Courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection And of course, making the most of all that outdoor space is the expansive, cabana-lined pool area—at 35 meters, it's the longest spot to take a splash in the city—which sits adjacent to Cafe Focolare, where the specialities are grilled fish and wood-fired pizzas with perfectly blistered crusts. Photo: Courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection Given the resort-like feel of the property, it's easy to forget just how close you are to the city center, even if the ever-obliging concierge team will be happy to arrange tickets to any of the city's major sights. But for the more intrepid traveler—or those on a return visit to Florence, with the urge to do something a little more off-the-beaten-path than traipse through the Uffizi or queue outside the Accademia to see Michelangelo's David—there's a genuinely unique range of experiences the team here have curated to truly get under the skin of the city. On a balmy afternoon, we headed to Profumoir Firenze, tucked away on a cobblestoned street in the city's residential San Niccolò neighborhood: on an enormous antique table surrounded by bottles on apothecary-style shelves painted a deep, velvety blue, we set to work creating our own unique fragrances, which we decorated with our own labels and sealed up in plush boxes to unpack a month later, after our blends had settled. On another day, we trundled down to the busy streets just north of the Duomo to step through a discreet doorway and into the serene courtyard of Palazzo Pucci, the striking palace that has been owned by the Pucci family for centuries, and which served as the headquarters for the late Emilio Pucci's kaleidoscopic fashion empire; today, it's overseen by his daughter Laudomia, who will cheerily take you on a tour of her family's archives and art collections over prosecco and biscotti. And while the culinary offering within the four walls of the hotel is varied enough to keep you happily fed and watered for the entire stay, team Collegio took a special delight in recommending local's-favorite restaurants throughout the city for heaving platters of bistecca alla Fiorentina or freshly made pasta with wild boar ragú. The standout experience, however? A morning meditation session in the school's former chapel, where an opera singer performed a 'live sound bath' as dappled light fell through the postage stamp windows up in the rafters—if there's an activity as strangely transcendent as this on offer at any other hotel in Florence, I'd be surprised. Photo: Courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection Photo: Courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection Despite my post-opera meditation state of zen, my visit to the hotel just so happened to coincide with a particularly busy week in Florence, when the hotel had a glittering array of guests in residence. The first wave was there to attend a candlelit garden dinner hosted by the cult interiors Cabana; then, the following day, a phalanx of fashion editors arrived to take in the Gucci cruise show that was happening that week in the Italian fashion house's archives near Piazza Santo Spirito. (There might have been an official afterparty in the cloisters of the Santa Maria Novella church, but the after-afterparty was very much taking place in the corridors and suites of Collegio alla Querce.) I overheard a gaggle of American editors heading home in their sprinter vans chattering about the hotel's beauty and unlikely sense of tranquility, and their plans to spread the word among their friends in New York—so don't be surprised if you start seeing the hotel crop up on the Instagram feed of the most stylish people you follow.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
100ml liquid restriction set to be scrapped across European airports – but there's a catch
Airports across the European Union (EU) are finally set to scrap the 100ml liquid restrictions for passengers – but there's a catch. The constraint was due to be scrapped last summer, but a European Commission (EC) ruling kept it in place temporarily. Now, aviation hubs with advanced scanners will allow passengers to carry wine, olive oil, perfume and other liquids in containers of up to two litres. Participating airports include travel hotspots such as Berlin, Rome, Amsterdam and Milan, with more expected to follow. While many major airports already have the advanced scanners, not all do, including London's Heathrow. It would cost the airport £1.04bn to install the equipment. There will be no mandatory requirement for airports to implement the new technology and it will be the decision of individual facilities to purchase the scanners. Consequently, the new ruling could cause confusion for passengers departing from an airport with the scanners, but returning home via an airport without them. In this instance, only 100ml would be allowed in the hand luggage on the return flight. The scanners use computed tomography (CT) to scan luggage with increased accuracy. Their introduction also means passengers will no longer have to remove other items from cabin baggage, such as laptops and tablets, further streamlining the security process. The major change was first reported by Italian news outlet Corriere della Sera and confirmed by the European Commission, with the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) set to green light the move imminently. European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen told The Independent that they were expecting the ruling to be confirmed 'in the next [few] days.' 'Once individual manufacturer's airport equipment passes tests and gets ECAC approval, it can receive the EU Stamp, permitting the screening of liquids of larger than 100ml. 'After receiving this approval, the equipment may be deployed for use at airports.' The Independent has approached the ECAC for comment. The news mirrors the recent decision by Birmingham and Edinburgh airports to remove the 100ml liquid restriction, while other UK airports still enforce the limit. Under existing rules, hand luggage liquids must be packed in containers carrying no more than 100ml, with some exceptions for baby products and medicines. Travellers are being advised to check the current rules from both their departing and return airports before travelling.