by Redazione 11/11/2026
Categories: Archaeology / Disclaimer
A Roman-era limestone lion, a remnant of L’Aquila’s ancient monumental gateways, has been recovered from the Porta Barete archaeological site. The sculpture will be transferred to the Academy of Fine Arts in L’Aquila for conservation assessments and restoration.
A Roman-era limestone lion, discovered during archaeological excavations in the Porta Barete area of L’Aquila, has been recovered by the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape for the provinces of L’Aquila and Teramo. The news was announced by the Superintendency itself, which reported that the sculpture had been transferred from the site of its discoveryto the Academy of Fine Arts in L’Aquila, where assessments of its state of preservation will begin in preparation for restoration. The recovery operations took place in the presence of the Carabinieri from the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit in L’Aquila.
The artifact was uncovered during excavations conducted in the Porta Barete area, a site of particular interest for reconstructing the earliest phases of L’Aquila’s urban history. Carved from limestone and dating to the Roman era, the sculpture serves as significant evidence of the monumental scale of the ancient city’s gateways.
Although the lion is not fully preserved, it exhibits formal and qualitative characteristics of interest for the historical and archaeological study of the site. Subsequent documentation, analysis, and restoration efforts will allow for a deeper understanding of the work’s technical, material, and historical-artistic aspects, as well as an assessment of its state of preservation and the interventions necessary for its protection.
The transfer to the Academy of Fine Arts is part of institutional efforts to protect and promote cultural heritage. The first phase of the work will be dedicated to assessing the state of preservation and documenting the artifact—preliminary steps to the planning and execution of the restoration. The project will also provide further information on the characteristics of the materials and help identify the most appropriate measures to ensure the sculpture’s long-term preservation.
This restoration is part of an ongoing effort to understand the Porta Barete area, which over the years has yielded various artifacts attesting to the city’s ancient history. The collaboration between the Superintendency and the Academy of Fine Arts brings together institutions dedicated to preservation, research, and advanced education, with the goal of deepening our understanding of the artifact and making it accessible to the public in the future.
Once the restoration work is complete, the most appropriate methods for showcasing the ancient artifact and returning it to the community will be evaluated. No decisions have yet been made regarding the display arrangements or the location where the sculpture will subsequently be presented to the public.
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| A Roman-era lion that once adorned the ancient entrance to the city has been recovered in L'Aquila |
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