Villa tardorromana de Camarzana de Tera

The villa tardorromana de Camarzana de Tera is a Roman residential complex from the 4th century with approximately 15 rooms arranged around a central courtyard with columns. Many rooms contain remarkable floor mosaics, some still in their original state, that show how a wealthy Roman household was decorated.

The site was first discovered in 1861 and underwent extensive excavations between 2007 and 2008. These campaigns revealed the Roman structures dating to the 4th century and shed light on late Roman settlement patterns in the region.

The mosaics depict scenes from Greek mythology such as Orpheus surrounded by animals and the abduction of Europa, still visible in the rooms today. These images reveal the education and tastes of the wealthy family who once lived here.

The site is easily reached from the N-6 highway and features elevated boardwalks that guide visitors to view the mosaic floors from a safe distance. These protective walkways preserve the artwork while providing good visibility of the details.

Eight cartouches within the mosaics show detailed horse representations with their names inscribed in tiny stone pieces - a rare feature for this region. These inscriptions offer a glimpse into how the owners valued their horses and immortalized them in the home's decoration.