Private Tours - Personal Guides

The first excavations, after the incredible discovery made at the end of the 18th century, date back to the beginning of the 19th century, but the campaigns that have definitively brought to light most of the mosaic decorations are due to the patient work of renowned archaeologists such as Paolo Orsi, Biagio Pace, Giuseppe Cultrera in the 1930s and Gino Vinicio Gentili in the 1950s.

Located in an idyllic landscape, in ancient times surrounded by woods and forests, between hills and valleys, it was actually built along the route for the transportation of wheats in Sicily and was equipped with an important spa complex, two aqueducts, warehouses, kitchens, banquet rooms, , 11 fountains, peristyle, reception areas and bedrooms for the guests. All decorated with colorful frescoes, marble inlays and mosaics in glass paste and semi-precious stones.

Although we are not sure of the identity of the owner (probably more than one in the course of its history), it is a Roman Villa that has the features of an imperial hunting residence, as evidenced by the magnificent scenes not only of local hunting activities, but of the capture of wild beasts in Africa and Asia to supply the circuses of the Empire. In addition to mythological stories, you can admire images of everyday life and the famous girls in bikinis, which made this site so famous.

Since 1997 it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.