Lucullus' villa in Naples, Archaeological site at Pizzofalcone and Megaride Island, Italy
The villa was a sprawling complex stretching from an island to a mountaintop, combining luxurious rooms with thermal baths, private harbors, and fish breeding pools. The structures lie partly hidden beneath the underground chambers of a medieval fortress today, where Roman columns and architectural elements remain visible.
A wealthy Roman military commander built the complex around the first century BCE, making it a center of power and culture. After his time, the site was repurposed by later rulers, including an imperial figure who spent his final years here.
The place takes its name from its founder, a wealthy Roman military commander whose art collection and library turned this spot into a center for scholars. The gardens were famous for rare plants imported from distant lands, reflecting how the Roman elite lived and what they valued.
Access is through underground passages of a medieval fortress, where the Roman remains can be viewed. It helps to know the basics of Roman architecture to fully understand the different levels and chambers.
The site was the final refuge of a deposed Roman ruler who lived there in exile after losing power. This tragic episode connects the classical world to the medieval age and shows how a place of splendor became the prison of a defeated leader.
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