About Sicily

Villa Romana del Casale, Piazza Armerina

One of the most famous mosaics of Sicily and among the most important in the world, are located in Piazza Armerina inside the “Villa Romana del Casale”. Their state of conservation is truly exceptional.

The Mosaics

The Villa was the center of an important latifundium (the latifundium was a very extensive parcel of privately owned land. The latifundia of Roman history were great landed estates specializing in agriculture destined for export: grain, olive oil, or wine “from Wikipedia”), with an administrative, residential, and representation function. More than 3000 square meters of mosaic show a precise program and the owner’s culture.

The Owner of the Villa

The identification of the owner of the Villa is not certain; according to the latest studies, it is attributed to a high representative of the Roman senatorial aristocracy, perhaps a Praefectus Urbi (a responsible of the public order of the city of Rome).

Structure of the Villa

The old residence is built on several levels and divided into four large areas:

• Official reception;
• Administration, unofficial banquet rooms, worship rooms;
• Residential units with connected service premises;
• Areas of passage and service.

The Most Important Mosaics

Among the most important and famous mosaics, there is the Great Hunt Mosaic, an extraordinary representation of the hunting during the Roman Empire.

The second is the iconic “Roman Girls in Bikini”, perhaps the most famous mosaic of the villa, for the sole reason that it depicts beautiful girls in bikinis. In fact, they represent women’s athletic competitions, so much that some of them seem to run with weights in their hands.

Visiting the Villa

If you visit the Villa, enjoy each mosaic and take your time. Read the comments that explain each mosaic, or ask for a guide. You will discover more than just mosaics. You will make a great trip to ancient Rome and its history.

The village of Piazza Armerina is worth the visit. It is an ancient medieval town with a baroque and Norman historic center. The vast historical center of Piazza Armerina has 100 churches, 12 monasteries, and 8 convents, all the chivalrous orders (Templars, Teutonics, Rose-Croix) and all the religious orders.

How to Get There

• From Fontanarossa-Catania airport > motorway A19 exit Dittaino > direction Valguarnera > Piazza Armerina;
• From Birgi-Trapani airport and Punta Raisi-Palermo > motorway A19 exit Enna > direction Pergusa > Piazza Armerina;
• From Pio La Torre-Comiso Airport > SP5 and SS 115-E 45 > direction Gela > SS 117 bis > Piazza Armerina.

Public Transport

• From Catania: Interbus > www.interbus.it
• From Palermo: SAIS Bus Lines > www.saisautolinee.it

Private Transfers & Guided Tours

If you prefer to spend a relaxing day, ask for a 100% customizable day tour with transfer, guided tour, lunch in a local restaurant, and other services or visit our Shared Tours & Transfers page for a group tour.