Piazza Armerina & Villa Romana del Casale
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Visit Piazza Armerina and admire one of the largest collections of Roman mosaics in the world
Piazza Armerina is a small town and the seat of an episcopal see in central Sicily, Italy.
Roger the Norman, who supported Pope Nicholas II in the 11th century and was supposedly given a Byzantine statue of Our Lady of Victories from him, is said to have founded this town.
Many historical monuments here include, amongst others, the 17th-century cathedral, with a 14th-century bell tower. The Baroque palace Trigona della Floresta can also be found here.
Alongside this are San Rocco Church (1613), the Civic Museum, and the well-preserved remains of a Roman villa at Casale.
Villa Romana del Casale is a gorgeous Unesco heritage site of outstanding historical and artistic value, featuring over 3,500 sqm of flooring covered in beautiful mosaics.
Encountered in a gorge just beyond the town of Piazza Armerina, the villa was constructed in the 4th century and belonged to a potent Roman patrician. In the 12th century, a mudslide covered its vast network of rooms, aiding the natural preservation of these splendid works of art.
The mosaics depict scenes of everyday life back in the ancient Roman Empire, created with exceptional attention to detail. Highlights include the famous "bikini girls" portrayed playing various sports and the vast 60-meter-long corridor with hunting scenes.
Roger the Norman, who supported Pope Nicholas II in the 11th century and was supposedly given a Byzantine statue of Our Lady of Victories from him, is said to have founded this town.
Many historical monuments here include, amongst others, the 17th-century cathedral, with a 14th-century bell tower. The Baroque palace Trigona della Floresta can also be found here.
Alongside this are San Rocco Church (1613), the Civic Museum, and the well-preserved remains of a Roman villa at Casale.
Villa Romana del Casale is a gorgeous Unesco heritage site of outstanding historical and artistic value, featuring over 3,500 sqm of flooring covered in beautiful mosaics.
Encountered in a gorge just beyond the town of Piazza Armerina, the villa was constructed in the 4th century and belonged to a potent Roman patrician. In the 12th century, a mudslide covered its vast network of rooms, aiding the natural preservation of these splendid works of art.
The mosaics depict scenes of everyday life back in the ancient Roman Empire, created with exceptional attention to detail. Highlights include the famous "bikini girls" portrayed playing various sports and the vast 60-meter-long corridor with hunting scenes.
Location
Duration
3 hours
Mood
- Archeology, Art & History, Culture Immersion, Private Tour