Roman ruins of Villa Cardillio, Archaeological site in Torres Novas, Portugal.
Villa Romana de Cardilio is a Roman settlement on a cultivated plain near the Almonda River. The complex features a large central courtyard surrounded by columns, residential rooms with mosaic flooring, and various outbuildings used for domestic and agricultural purposes.
The settlement developed during the Roman Imperial period and remained occupied across multiple centuries. Archaeological excavations beginning in 1962 uncovered coins, pottery, bronze objects, and glass collections that document its extended use over time.
The mosaics display geometric patterns and figures that reflect the artistic skill of the Roman residents. Visitors can still observe these decorations today and gain a sense of the aesthetic preferences from that era.
The site is located about 3 kilometers southeast of Torres Novas and can be reached from the town. Since this is an open-air excavation, visitors should expect outdoor conditions and be aware that access may depend on weather or seasonal factors.
The villa's water system was remarkably well-designed and served both for irrigating fields and cooling the living spaces. This technical solution shows how Roman residents engineered their surroundings with practical efficiency.
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