The Surgeon’s House (Domus del Chirurgo) is an archaeological site of great historic significance to Rimini. It offers visitors the chance to understand how people lived and worked in the city throughout the Roman and medieval periods. The Surgeon’s House is part of a complex that covers an area of around 7,535 square feet (700 square meters) on Piazza Ferrari. It includes the remains of burial grounds, gardens and houses.
Discovered in 1989, the ruins were opened to the public after 18 years of excavations. Popular belief is that they were buried beneath collapsed walls following raids in the 3rd century A.D. The oldest parts date back over 2,000 years to the Late Republic period. Curiously, when built the ruins were located adjacent to the Adriatic Sea coastline.
The most valuable aspect is The Surgeon’s House, so called because the last proprietor of the building was a medical practitioner. Archaeologists came to this conclusion after finding pharmaceutical and surgical instruments. Take time to appreciate examples of coffer ceilings, mosaicked floors and polychrome frescoes. Admire a glass panel, which portrays three colorful fish swimming on the seabed.
Visit the taberna medica, a reconstruction of the house’s patient and consultation room. Note the mosaic depicting the Greek prophet Orpheus and a display of medical instruments. Elsewhere, there’s evidence of a Late Republic dwelling, an early-medieval cemetery and a 5th-century palace.
It’s easy to reach the attraction on foot from most parts of Rimini’s historic center. The Basilica Cattedrale (Tempio Malatestiano) and Piazza Cavour are both 5-minute walks away. Rimini’s central train station is less than half a mile (700 meters) to the northwest. Drivers can use car parks situated on the outskirts of the old town.
The Surgeon’s House is open from Tuesday to Sunday and there’s an admission fee, which includes entrance to the Museo della Città. It’s free to visit on Wednesdays and the first Sunday of every month. Additional artifacts from the site are on display at the museum. The museum also offers guided tours of the archaeological ruins. These tours have a fee.
