DK Travel : Sicily : Villa Romana del Casale

Villa Romana del Casale

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As the hunting lodge of an important Roman official (perhaps Maximianus, Diocletian’s co-emperor), the villa at Piazza Armerina was decorated with what is now the best preserved and most extensive set of Roman mosaics in the world. The lavish villa was constructed over a period of more than 50 years from the late 3rd century to the early 4th century AD and its public and private rooms, peristyles, luxurious thermal baths and gardens with pools and fountains were laid out on four natural terraces. The villa entrance was an imitation triumphal arch, while inside, the house was endowed with tall ceilings and expansive rooms with open porticoes of delicate marble columns.

Top 10 Features

1. Narthex of the Thermae

1. Narthex of the Thermae

The long narthex in the thermae (gym) is decorated with a circus scene . Horse-drawn chariots careen around a track, in the centre of which is an image of the obelisk of Constantinus II.
2. Private Entrance into Thermae

2. Private Entrance into Thermae

Here the emperor’s family is shown: mother, son and daughter, accompanied by their slaves, are carrying equipment they will need for the baths and gym .
3. Public Room off the Peristyle

The reception room is decorated with a hunting scene – one of the earliest mosaics laid down in the villa. Hunters and their dogs chase beasts, finally spearing a wild boar, carting him away on their shoulders.
4. Great Hunting Scene

4. Great Hunting Scene

These mosaics show two countries (personified at either end) surrounded by sea. The array of animals on land and in the sea is astounding – including elephants, lions and tigers, and a leopard attacking a gazelle.
5. Ten Girls in Bikinis

5. Ten Girls in Bikinis

Perhaps the most famous mosaics in the villa . The bikini-clad athletes have apparently just finished a competition and the winner has been awarded a flowered crown and a palm sceptre.
6. Xystus

On the north side of the xystus , the elliptical garden off the triclinium , are three rooms decorated with scenes of the vendemmia (grape harvest); the rooms on the south side are decorated with fishing scenes.
7. Triclinium

The triclinium, used for banqueting, opens on one side onto a lovely garden surrounded by an elliptical portico. The mosaics are of a grand scale in keeping with their subject, the Ten Labours of Hercules.
8. Arion and Naiads

The floor of this living room, which had marble-faced walls, is decorated with a lively scene of the bejewelled Arion, holding a conch shell as a sceptre. She is surrounded by Niads and sea creatures, all in fine detail.
9. Private Apartments

The floors of the family’s private apartments are decorated with scenes of a children’s hunt. Lush decorative panels throughout depict foliage and baskets of fruit and vegetables.
10. Aqueduct

Near the entrance to the villa notice remains of the aqueduct, which provided ample water not only for the baths, but also for the extensive gardens, fountains and household use.

Practical Information

Do your best to arrive as close as possible to opening hours or around lunchtime to avoid the crowds. 0935 680 036 Open summer: 8:30am–5:30pm daily, winter: 8:30am–4:30pm daily Adm €4.50