Begining Tour of Terrace Houses

From the opposite part of the Temple of Hadrian the interesting complex of the so-called "Houses on the slope" faces out onto Curetes Street. These houses were inhibated by the most qualified and wealthy social class and for this reason they are also known as "houses of the rich" or "palaces on the slopes" . Each house had a door which opened onto the side street from a terrace and a peristyle (courtyard) surrounded by rooms. Most of these houses were three storeyed and the courtyards in the center measured between 25-50 meters. The courtyard was surrounded by a colonade and paved with marble. The houses had running water.

The houses were heated by a system similar to the one used in spas. The inside rooms had frescoed walls depicting especially mythological subjects, while the floors were usually adorned with refined mosaics.

Photo album created with Web Album Generator