Archaeologists are excavating a large semi-circular hall belonging to an Imperial Roman residence located in present-day Piazza Dante amid controversial plans to move the remains to the centre of the square. The so-called Volta Gatti came to light during renovations at the ex palazzo Casse di Risparmio Postali in Piazza Dante, which is set to become the new secret services headquarters.

Measuring almost nine meters in height and featuring precious decorations in glass paste and marble, the hall is part of an imperial complex adjacent to the Horti Lamiani, a set of gardens on the Esquiline Hill in the triangle formed by present-day Via Merulana, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and Via Principe Eugenio that were incorporated by Emperor Nero into his Domus Aurea.