Rusellae

Roselle Rusellae
Frazione
The archaeological site of Rusellae
Roselle Location of Roselle in Italy
Coordinates: 42°48′34″N 11°08′19″E / 42.80944°N 11.13861°E / 42.80944; 11.13861Coordinates: 42°48′34″N 11°08′19″E / 42.80944°N 11.13861°E / 42.80944; 11.13861
Country	Italy
Region	Tuscany
Province	Grosseto (GR)
Comune	Grosseto
Elevation	25 m (82 ft)
Population (2010)
• Total	2,998
Demonym(s)	Rosellani
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	58100
Dialing code	0564

Rusellae, situated in the archaeological area of Roselle, was an important ancient town of Etruria (roughly modern Tuscany), and subsequently of ancient Rome, which survived until the Middle Ages before being abandoned, and a Catholic bishoric from 490, when the see was transferred to Grosseto, but was restored as Latin [[titular see]. The impressive remains lie near the modern frazione or village of Roselle (Italian: [roˈzɛlle]) in the comune of Grosseto.

The remains of the ancient buildings were brought to light by means of a long campaign of excavations carried out by archaeologist Aldo Mazzolai in the 1950s. More recent work has revealed many more impressive buildings.

Roselle was located at the point of transition between the valley of Ombrone and the Maremma of Grosseto, on the shore of the ancient lake Prile (the ancient Lacus Prelius).

The ruins are about 15 kilometres (9 mi) southeast of Vetulonia and 8 kilometres (5 mi) northeast of Grosseto. They are situated on a hill with two summits, the higher of which is 194 metres (636 ft) above sea level. One summit is occupied by a Roman amphitheatre, the other by a tower of uncertain date. The local travertine was extensively used as a building material.

Roman remains have also been found 3 kilometres (2 mi) to the south, at hot springs used for public bathing to this day.

Excavations have revealed the newly identified Roman port on the Ombrone River, located within the Maremma National Park. The port provided an important commercial focus for the ancient city of Rusellae and for the exchange of goods around the Via Aurelia. The port is associated with a temple dedicated to Diana Umbronesis, set on a rocky promontory to the south, which acted as a ‘marker’ for the coastal trade in the area. This sanctuary together with a second, Severan temple are part of ongoing excavations.