When in the late nineties the Cremonini Group management decided to start construction work for a combined catering centre with a modern cinema just a few steps away from the Trevi Fountain, they would never have imagined that amongst the foundations of the former “Trevi cinema” building purchased in 1985, were preserved the remains of a vast building complex of the Imperial age, a precious testimony of the city’s ancient urban fabric. 

The construction site started in September 1999. From the first phases of mechanical intervention the presence of structures from the Roman period were evidenced, thus obliging the Archaeological Superintendence of Rome to immediately suspend the building site.

Yet, thanks to Cavalier Luigi Cremonini’s availability and enthusiasm, the founder and president of the Group, it was promptly decided to fund completely the archaeological surveys, permitting an extensive excavation campaign to begin (conducted by Antonio Insalaco under the scientific direction of Claudio Moccheggiani Carpano ), which would end in 2001, and lay the foundations for the realisation of one of the first examples in Italy of virtuous collaboration between public and private interests. 

In fact, due to the imposing structure brought to light and the historical-artistic value of the findings discovered, through the Cremonini Group’s initiative the original project was profoundly modified, right up to the preparation of a real museum site, currently known as “Vicus Caprarius – the City of Water”.  

On 6th April 2004 the archaeological area was permanently opened to the public, but the history of the excavations under the former “Trevi cinema” still continues.

In fact, over the following years, the archaeological site was further developed and enriched. 

On 19th December 2006, thanks to the strong impulse of the Cremonini Group, following a delicate restoration that lasted several months and was realised by Alessandra Barone and Barbara Gregni, of the Cooperative Restoration Archaeology of Rome, under the guidance of Fiorenzo Catalli, Archaeology Director of the Archaeological Superintendence of Rome, the “treasure” discovered during the excavations was displayed in two special windows: over 800 coins dating back to the 4th and 5th century AD.  

Three years later, on 22nd December 2009, the preparation of the antiquarium was finally completed.

The Cremonini Group has in fact promoted a further study of the materials found during the excavation and deposited for a long time in storage, with the aim of valorising  the historical “post-ancient” phase (Middle Ages, Renaissance, Nineteenth and Twentieth Century) that makes the archaeological area such an extraordinary example of life’s continuity.

The restoration of the findings, essentially everyday objects (jugs and plates in majolica, knifes and forks, pots and pans, bottles in blown glass, as well as a particular ring with a female drawer key in bronze and silver), was made by the Consortium Workshop, also under the scientific direction of Fiorenzo Catalli, the exhibition set-up was created for Progetto Artiser s.n.c. by the archaeologists Alessandro Ascoli, Giuliano Catalli, Barbara Lepri and Francesca Licordari under the scientific direction of Antonio Insalaco, Curator of the Archaeological Superintendency of the City of Rome.