Roman Mosaics | Constanta

Physical & Material Composition

The Roman Mosaic Building Click to open side panel for more information  consists of a three-level terrace structure constructed from limestone blocks and Roman brick. The primary artistic feature is a floor covering 850 square meters of multicolored marble, limestone, and ceramic tesserae.

The mosaic features geometric and floral patterns executed in white, black, red, and yellow stone. The structural remains include massive brick arches and limestone pillars that originally supported a vaulted roof.

Geographical Location

The site is located at Piața Ovidiu 12, directly adjacent to the southern side of the National Museum of History and Archaeology. It is positioned approximately 200 meters northwest of the Tomis Tourist Port.

The edifice is situated on a cliff overlooking the Black Sea. It maintains a distance of 150 meters from the Carol I Mosque.

Access Logistics

Visitors enter the site via a modern glass and steel pavilion built over the remains to prevent environmental degradation. The entry point is located on the western side of the building, facing the museum.

The interior features a metal walkway suspended above the mosaic floor for viewing. Access to the lower commercial levels is currently restricted to designated archaeological tours.

Historical Markers

Construction of the edifice took place during the late 3rd century or early 4th century CE. It served as a commercial and social hub for the port of Tomis until the 6th century CE.

Workers discovered the site in 1959 during excavation for a modern residential apartment block. Restoration and conservation efforts occurred in the late 1960s and more recently through European Union funding programs in 2022.

Insider Observation

The mosaic contains several irregular patches where the original design was repaired with plain white mortar in antiquity. A specific drainage channel carved into the limestone floor on the second level indicates the ancient system for managing rainwater runoff.

Small Christian symbols are faintly scratched into the plaster of the lower-level walls. These markings date to the final phases of the building's occupation before its abandonment.

Surrounding Environmental Context

The National Museum of History and Archaeology forms the immediate northern boundary. The Tomis Marina and its associated breakwaters are visible from the eastern observation windows.

Local flora includes Ailanthus altissima (Tree of Heaven) growing in the undeveloped areas of the archaeological park. The House with Lions is located 100 meters to the southeast.