Villa romana del Casale

The Villa, a UNESCO World Heritage site from 1997, is one of the most important evidence of Roman master's residence because it's sophisticated and beautiful. It was discovered in 1950, the splendid architecture dates approximately from the first half of IV century but dating of estate is still unclear.

Due to its majesty experts first thought  it was committed by Emperor but lately, after  discovering  other related villas in Sicily, they tought it could be a private property and the owner was probably an aristocrat, a Roman senator maybe or a Roman governor.

What you can see

The structure is organized on four constitutive nuclei. Access to the Villa is by step through a monumental entrance leading to an atrium with porch and fountain from wich one goes to the thermal baths and to the quadrangular peristyle on the left. Peristyle is a large garden with porch and with rooms  around it. Going down the Peristyle and then walking through the Great Hunt corridor, you'll get the basilica. From quadrangular perystile one goes to the upper level where are the ovoid peristyle and the triapsidal hall.

We're speaking about an area of around 3.500 mq paved with splendid mosaics fully preserved, created by african artists, experts say, showing scenes drawn from Omero's literary work, from Greek mythology and from daily life. Villa's mosaics aren't just beautiful but also historical record of certain aspects of Roman culture like beasts hunting for circus and coliseum games. The main example is the Great Hunt mosaic in the corridor, which extend to 70 meters and can de read as a large map of Roman empire symbolized by fauna and by natural enviroments of empire's regions.

Outside the Villa were discovered two acqueducts aimed to water supply. According to experts, the Villa wasn't isolated but sorrounded by several minor constructions.

Imagine copyright: By © José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro /, CC BY-SA 4.0

Villa del Casale Opening Hours

The villa is open every day with the following times:
- from the last Sunday of March to the last of October: from 9.00 to 19.00. Last admission at 18.00
- from the last Sunday of October to the last Saturday of March: from 9.00 to 17.00. Last admission at 16.00
In the months of July and August, evening opening: Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 11.00 pm.

Tickets

Ticket cost: Full 10€ - Reduced 5€

Free for minors. For other free cases, consult the website

Cumulative ticket for Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina Morgantina archaeological area - Aidone archaeological museum: Full price € 14 - Reduced € 7.

Free admission on the first Sunday of the month.

Villa del Casale: getting here

BY CAR

From Fontanarossa Airport-Catania> A19 motorway exit Dittaino> direction Valguarnera> Piazza Armerina;

From Birgi-Trapani and Punta Raisi-Palermo Airport> A19 motorway exit Enna> direction Pergusa> Piazza Armerina;

From Pio La Torre-Comiso Airport> roads SP5 and SS 115-E 45> direction Gela> road SS 117 bis> Piazza Armerina.

BY BUS

From Catania: Interbus lines

From Palermo: SAIS autolinee

BUS service City of Piazza Armerina: SAVIT - SCICHILONE

The Villa Romana del Casale is located about 5 km from the city of Piazza Armerina, from which it can be reached by taxi service and from 1 May to 30 September - only on weekdays - with a municipal shuttle bus: Linea Villabus.