The so-called Villa delle Vignacce

The monumental remains of the so-called Villa delle Vignacce rise within the Parco degli Acquedotti, near via Lemonia, and it is one of the largest suburban villas of the imperial age.

Archaeological excavations have highlighted five residential phases of the villa (from the 1st to the 6th century AD), which was built in a mixed work of brick reticulate and in listed work. Its monumentalization took place in the 2nd century AD, with the construction of luxurious residential pavilions, gardens with nymphaeums and water features and private baths.

Among the most important remains we can observe the structures of the thermal plant: this was a vast hall with a circular plan covered with a dome, surrounded by other small apsed rooms, in which one of the oldest examples of the use of amphorae for lightening is preserved of the dome.

At about 150 meters away, the remains of a large long cistern are visible, placed parallel to the Felice aqueduct, from which the villa drew water; the cistern, which is spread over two floors, has two rows of semicircular niches on the outside, while inside it is divided into three rooms on the lower floor and four on the upper floor.

The villa was built by Quinto Servilio Pudente, a rich brick maker from the time of Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD), as some "brick stamps" and lead pipes (fistulae) with his name, found in excavations, seem to demonstrate.

During the archaeological investigations, a statue of Aphrodite, the Ganymede Chiaramonti, the Tyche of Antioch were also found.

(preserved in the Vatican Museums), a portrait of Julia Domna (wife of Emperor Septimius Severus), a statue of Marsyas punished by Apollo (now at the Centrale Montemartini).

The complex was probably restored around the fourth century, when it was part of the possessions of Emperor Constantine, later falling into abandonment.

Photo credits: Courtesy of Parco degli Acquedotti official site