Description
A few metres below present-day street level, beneath Casa Canuto Borelli at 30 Via Varrone, lie the remains of ancient Hasta.
The archaeological site contains part of a Roman domus dating from the second half of the first century AD. It is located approximately 80 metres north of the Torre Rossa, the ancient city gate that marked the western end of the decumanus maximus — the principal east–west street of the Roman town — corresponding to present-day Corso Alfieri.
The highlight of the site is the magnificent mosaic floor of the triclinium, the Roman dining room. Measuring three metres by 1.7 metres, it is an exceptionally rare example within Piedmont.
Set into a white cocciopesto floor, the mosaic is distinguished by coloured marble inlays in circular, rectangular and diamond-shaped forms. These create geometric patterns enriched with images of fish and sprigs of ivy.
Braided and herringbone borders, formed from black and white tesserae, frame the composition and enhance its artistic refinement.
The rarity of comparable mosaics in Piedmont further increases the importance of the discovery. The domus of Via Varrone is therefore an archaeological site of exceptional significance, offering valuable insight into everyday life and domestic art during the Roman period.