Roman amphorae in hotel lobby

The lobby of the Amphora Hotel in Split, Croatia, houses an interesting exhibition of ancient Roman amphorae, referencing the maritime and commercial history of the Adriatic and the world of the Roman Empire.

The vessels on display come primarily from Italy—including Sicily, Calabria, and the coast of central Italy—and date from the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE. This was a period of intense maritime trade in the Mediterranean.

Amphorae were used to transport the most important goods of the ancient world, primarily wine, olive oil, and the famous Roman fish sauce, garum. The vessels’ distinctive shape allowed them to be conveniently stowed in the holds of merchant ships sailing between the empire’s ports.

Many of the exhibits retain traces of centuries of underwater life—their surfaces are covered with marine sediments and shells.