Villa Romana del Casale, Roman archaeological site in Piazza Armerina, Italy.
Villa Romana del Casale is a Roman archaeological complex in Piazza Armerina with residential chambers, thermal baths, and sprawling floor mosaics covering more than thirty-five hundred square meters. The compound includes several interconnected halls, galleries, and courtyards whose floors are covered with figurative depictions.
The complex was built in the fourth century after Christ for a Roman aristocrat and remained hidden under mud for centuries after a landslide from Monte Mangone. Excavations began in the nineteen-fifties and revealed one of the best-preserved Roman residences.
The name comes from the Latin word for country estate and points to its original purpose as a residence for the ruling class. Today visitors walk along raised walkways that hover above the mosaic floors and allow a direct view of depictions showing hunts, mythological figures, and everyday scenes.
During summer the opening hours are extended so visitors can still walk through the compound in late afternoon. Most pathways and exhibition areas are designed to be accessible and allow a comfortable tour along the raised walkways.
In one chamber ten female figures are depicted wearing two-piece garments reminiscent of modern sportswear while shown discus throwing, running, and playing ball games. These depictions are among the few known ancient representations of women in athletic activity.
Location: Piazza Armerina
Phone: +390935680036
Email: polomuseale.en@regione.sicilia.it
Website: http://villaromanadelcasale.it
GPS coordinates: 37.36472,14.33455
Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:43
Sicily combines Greek temples, Roman mosaics, and Norman churches on an island at the crossroads of Europe and Africa. The archaeological sites document over two thousand years of history, from the Doric columns in Agrigento to the Byzantine domes in Palermo. This collection includes the Temple of Concordia, whose preserved structure ranks among the finest examples of Greek architecture outside Greece, and the Villa Romana del Casale with its extensive fourth-century floor mosaics. The region also offers natural sites such as the active volcano Mount Etna and coastal reserves like Zingaro. Palermo displays multiple eras simultaneously, from the medieval Palazzo dei Normanni to the nineteenth-century Teatro Massimo. Syracuse preserves its ancient past on the island of Ortigia and in the Necropolis of Pantalica, while towns such as Modica and Cefalù present medieval old quarters and Norman cathedrals. The Aeolian Islands complement the mainland with volcanic landscapes and the active Stromboli.
Stone mosaics adorn buildings across continents, offering insights into the artistic traditions of different eras. Roman floor mosaics feature mythological scenes and geometric patterns in villas and public baths. Byzantine wall mosaics in churches depict religious figures using gold tesserae, while Islamic mosaics in mosques and palaces showcase intricate geometric and floral compositions. Examples of this art form can be found at Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, where Christian and Islamic elements coexist, in the early Christian basilicas of Ravenna with their detailed biblical narratives, and at the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem with its elaborate arabesques. Modern interpretations appear in subway stations, public squares, and contemporary buildings, demonstrating the continued relevance of this technique.
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Scenic viewpoint
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Scenic viewpoint
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