Posted on 07/02/2015 11:34:14 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
The remains of one of the most prestigious maritime villas from Roman times are set to reopen July 2 in a small, almost uninhabited island off the Tuscan coast after been locked for 15 years.
Commonly known as "Villa Domitia," the imperial complex stood magnificently 2,000 years ago on the island of Giannutri, a rocky crescent about 3 miles long with thick areas of Mediterranean vegetation...
The majestic complex marks Giannutri's most glorious time. Today the southernmost island of the Tuscan archipelago is almost empty -- populated by a huge colony of seagulls and, in summer, by a group of villa owners who rely on rain water and water shipped from the mainland...
Although the villa has been the focus of several restoration and conservation campaigns since 1989, overlapping regulations have basically prevented its opening to the public, slowing procedures and interventions...
A year after the removal of the Costa Concordia shipwreck, Giglio is struggling to restore its well deserved reputation of unspoiled island rich in food, wine, traditions and history...
Today the ruins represent a bright yet fragmented evidence of the once sumptuous villa, showing impressive flights of steps, granite columns, intricately-sculpted capitals, pieces of precious marbles and long stretches of thick walls in opus reticulatum (small squared stones laid diagonally to form a net-like pattern).
Spreading for about 10 acres, the villa was built on different terraces on a property which most likely belonged to the prominent Domitii Ahenobarbi, Nero's family.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.discovery.com ...
[Paola Agazzi/Rossella Lorenzi] The residential quarter, which included the bedrooms and a large room with stunning views over the sea, was spread on three terraces around a peristylium, or open courtyard. This featured a basin for collecting rainwater, surrounded by six impressive granite columns boasting intricately carved Corinthian capitals.
must have caught rainwater and stored in cisterns
That’s how it’s done now, but of course, if the boss wanted water from Rome, you went to Rome for water. :’)
It seems to be quite airy.....LOL
And messy. Looks like housekeeping hasn’t been through in a while.
Huh.
How long until we get to see commercials for Islands Gone Wild! ?
We’re probably lucky, or maybe not, that the Romans didn’t leave video archives of their home life.
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![[Paola Agazzi/Rossella Lorenzi] The residential quarter, which included the bedrooms and a large room with stunning views over the sea, was spread on three terraces around a peristylium, or open courtyard. This featured a basin for collecting rainwater, surrounded by six impressive granite columns boasting intricately carved Corinthian capitals.](http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/6.courtyard-roman-villa-150701.jpg)
