Villa Romana del Casale
This Roman villa was likely built between the late 3rd century BC and the early 4th century AD. Most likely by Maximian, one of the tetrarchs who jointly rule the Empire from 286 to 305 CE. The villa which was surrounded by large estates was occasionally occupied until the 12th century. Then it was ravaged by a fire and buried in mud following the 1611 floods and forgotten. It was re-discovered at the end of the 19th century.
The large villa complex (about 3,500 sq m) is made up of several different levels. Its main entrance leads into a polygonal courtyard, which provided access to the large peristyle which overlooks guest rooms (north) with the owner’s private apartments (east). Beyond the guest rooms were the servant’s quarters, complete with a kitchen. The family’s private apartments were divided into two areas by a large basilica which was used for meetings and official receptions. The living area, consisted of a large elliptical atrium which opened onto a large apsed triclinium (dining-room). Six small rooms and service amenities were situated to the south of the complex. The western part of the complex housed the baths. The water was supplied by two aqueducts connected to a third which was fed by the river Gela which flows a few metres away.
Mosaics – What makes the villa unique are its floors, consisting of mosaics which survived in excellent condition. The majority of panels are polychrome and feature a wide range of subjects. Mythological scenes, incidents from daily life, special occasions (great hunt, circus games, feast days honoring the gods and a grape harvest) and alternate with geometric decoration incorporating medallions stars and key patterns in a remarkable array of colours. What is particularly amazing is the way in which movement and action is portrayed. It seems to animate the various scenes with realism. The skill with which the wild and exotic animals have been portrayed has been interpreted as the work of North African craftsmen. The panels are laid facing the entrance to each room, what allows visitors to see the scenes from the best angle when they enter the room.
An excellent detailed description of the mosaics can be found at: http://www.valdinoto.com/english/villa_romana_del_casale.htm
Read MoreThe large villa complex (about 3,500 sq m) is made up of several different levels. Its main entrance leads into a polygonal courtyard, which provided access to the large peristyle which overlooks guest rooms (north) with the owner’s private apartments (east). Beyond the guest rooms were the servant’s quarters, complete with a kitchen. The family’s private apartments were divided into two areas by a large basilica which was used for meetings and official receptions. The living area, consisted of a large elliptical atrium which opened onto a large apsed triclinium (dining-room). Six small rooms and service amenities were situated to the south of the complex. The western part of the complex housed the baths. The water was supplied by two aqueducts connected to a third which was fed by the river Gela which flows a few metres away.
Mosaics – What makes the villa unique are its floors, consisting of mosaics which survived in excellent condition. The majority of panels are polychrome and feature a wide range of subjects. Mythological scenes, incidents from daily life, special occasions (great hunt, circus games, feast days honoring the gods and a grape harvest) and alternate with geometric decoration incorporating medallions stars and key patterns in a remarkable array of colours. What is particularly amazing is the way in which movement and action is portrayed. It seems to animate the various scenes with realism. The skill with which the wild and exotic animals have been portrayed has been interpreted as the work of North African craftsmen. The panels are laid facing the entrance to each room, what allows visitors to see the scenes from the best angle when they enter the room.
An excellent detailed description of the mosaics can be found at: http://www.valdinoto.com/english/villa_romana_del_casale.htm
