The Surgeon’s House in Rimini: A Journey into Everyday Life in Ancient Rome



In the heart of Rimini’s historic center, beneath Piazza Ferrari, lies a true underground treasure: the Surgeon’s House (Domus del Chirurgo), an exceptionally well-preserved Roman home from the 2nd century AD. Discovered by chance in 1989, it is today one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Roman Italy—thanks especially to its extraordinary set of medical instruments.

An Extraordinary Discovery

During roadwork, workers uncovered mosaic fragments and ancient walls. Excavations revealed a Roman domus belonging to a military doctor named Eutyches. The site features fine mosaics, colorful frescoes, and more than 150 surgical tools made of bronze, bone, and iron—an unparalleled find in the Roman world.

Eutyches, the Surgeon

Who was Eutyches? Inscriptions and tools suggest he was a skilled doctor, probably serving in the Roman army. He treated soldiers and citizens using instruments for orthopedic, dental, and even cranial operations.

His surgical set includes:

  • scalpels and tweezers,
  • cranial drills (for trepanation),
  • probes, needles, hooks,
  • containers for ointments and healing compounds.

This unique collection tells us more about Roman medicine than any text could.

The House and Its Rooms

Covering about 700 m², the domus is open to visitors via a glass walkway that allows you to view:

  • The surgery room, with original wall paintings and tools;
  • The tablinum (study) and triclinium (dining room), decorated with mosaics;
  • Inner courtyards, columns, and garden remains;
  • Older and newer layers of occupation, from the Republican to the medieval period.

It’s like walking through a living history book.

The Museum and Archaeological Site

The Surgeon’s House is part of the City Museum of Rimini, where you can see:

  • the original surgical tools,
  • 3D reconstructions of the rooms,
  • detailed info on ancient medical practices and diseases.

Why Visit?

  • It’s one-of-a-kind: no other Roman domus has yielded such a complete medical toolkit.
  • It shows the daily life of ancient Rimini, not just grand events.
  • It’s where archaeology meets human stories, in an unforgettable way.

Practical Info

Location: Piazza Ferrari, Rimini (easily walkable from the city center).
Opening hours: vary by season (check the museum website).
Ticket: included with admission to the City Museum of Rimini.

The Surgeon’s House is more than an archaeological site: it’s a portal to a lost world, where science, art, and everyday life intertwine. A place where history is not just displayed—it is lived, step by step, across mosaics and memory.