Varignano Roman Villa
Varignano Roman Villa is an ancient Roman residence located in Varignano, now a frazione of the town of Porto Venere in the province of La Spezia, Italy. Its site is marked by an archaeological museum.
History
[edit]Its first construction phase dates back to the 1st century BCE,[1] primarily consisting of a house surrounded by a farm linked to olive oil production.[1] The site is situated beside the Seno del Varignano Vecchio, overlooking the sea, near the santuario delle Grazie, and to the northeast, the Fortezza del Varignano.[1]
Its main area, the pars urbana, and the productive area, the pars fructuaria, were separated by a courtyard used for 'torcularium,' where olives were pressed for their oil. The owner's residence was single-story, featuring atria paved with mosaics, living rooms, and bedrooms. The olive oil processing area contained two presses and a 'cella oleario' that were active until the 1st century AD.[1] At that time, olive oil production ceased, and the vilicus underwent a major rebuild, including the construction of a set of heated rooms and private frigidaria. The cistern associated with these rooms is considered almost unique among similar buildings in northern Italy.[1] This residence remained active until the 6th century.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "Fonte dal sito turistico della Provincia della Spezia". Archived from the original on 16 December 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
44°03′54″N 9°50′25″E / 44.0649°N 9.8403°E
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