ANCIENT ROMAN FRESCOS AND MOSAIC UNVEILED

ROME, SEPTEMBER 8 /SRNA/ - Authorities on Tuesday unveiled what is believed to be the largest fresco and mosaic complex of ancient Rome, a 1st century AD depiction of a maritime city in what became the largest bath complex in the world, AP reports.

Mayor of Rome Robert Gualtieri presented the recently restored "Painted City" fresco and "Great Mosaic" that were discovered in an underground gallery during excavations in the 1990s of the Baths of Trajan on the Oppio hill near the Colosseum.

Gualtieri said the fresco, which features images of a walled port city from a birds-eye view perspective, was the largest wall fresco of its kind from ancient Rome and as such needs to be open to the public.

The works are opening to the public for the first time, initially in small groups of 15 and during a trial period of weekend access starting this month.

The aim is to determine how the delicate works respond to increased humidity and climactic impacts before allowing more general access.