Villa Romana del Casale

About this place

The Villa Romana del Casale is a large and elaborate Roman villa or palace located approximately 3 km from the town of Piazza Armerina, Sicily. Excavations have revealed Roman mosaics that according to the Grove Dictionary of Art, are the richest, largest, and most varied collection that remains there, and for which the site was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The villa and its artwork date to the early fourth century AD The mosaic and opus sectile floors cover some 3,500 m2 and are almost unique in their excellent state of preservation due to the landslide and floods that covered the remains. Notice how the building presents itself to the surrounding streets or landscape, then compare its public and more intimate spaces. This helps explain how architecture expressed the position, resources and ambitions of the people who commissioned it.