Villa Romana del Casale

• The Villa Romana del Casale is a Roman Villa rustica located near Piazza Armerina in Sicily. It dates to the 4th century CE and is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
• It contains one of the greatest Roman Collections of Roman Mosaics and Frescoes.

History

• The huge villa was built on the scale of a palace, and was part of a large Latifundium.
• It was mentioned as the Filosofiana in the Antonine Itinerary (4th century CE).

Roman Mosaics

• The villa holds an almost unique collection of well preserved and highly detailed Roman Mosaics.
  • Hunting Mosaic
    • One mosaic depicts a hunt showing wild animals, such as lions, being captured and transported in ships.
  • Athletics Mosaic
    • Another mosaic depicts an athletic competition, including ten women athletes who are all wearing the Bikini.
  • Roman Skiers
    • The Mosaic depicts a man on what appears to be a pair of skis. Mount Etna is nearby and is covered in snow for several months of the year.

Villa Romana del Casale, Sicily