The Basilica of Santa Pudenziana in Rome: from investigations new elements for the knowledge of the
Monument and for the enhancement project
In 2013 the Superintendence of Lazio, Abruzzo and Sardinia and the Rome Archaeological Superintendence
entrusted one of the authors with the restoration project for the imposing substructing galleries and other
various underground rooms in the Santa Pudenziana Basilica. These environments were unusable from years due to many deteriorating factors, including high level
of humidity. A lot of preliminary research and survey campaigns have been carried from then: from the
complete mapping and functional control of the existing sewer system to vast archaeological investigations
with the Roma Sotterranea Association, which confirmed the thermal use of the complex and the real
presence of other underground environments only hypothesized before. In addition, the current project
is implementing the rainwater and waste water drainage and is also eliminating existing leackage in the
underground environments through the connection of an unprecedentedly documented ancient pipe to
the city sewer.