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Villa Romana del Casale

Villa del Casale

8 story sections14 min 56 s in all
History & cultureBY TELLBY

Contents

8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines
  1. 1Orientation2:07

    Deep in the heart of Sicily, nestled in a remote valley near Piazza Armerina, lies the Villa Romana del Casale—one of the most extraordinary archaeological treasures of the ancient world. Built in the early 4th century AD during…

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  2. 2The Thermal Bath Complex1:50

    Our exploration begins at the villa's entrance, which leads directly into the impressive thermal bath complex. In Roman society, the baths were not just for hygiene; they were a central hub of social life and luxury. …

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  3. 3The Peristyle and the Great Fountain1:48

    Leaving the baths, we enter the heart of the villa: the Great Peristyle. This is a massive rectangular courtyard surrounded by a colonnaded walkway, which once featured towering columns and covered porticos. …

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  4. 4The Corridor of the Great Hunt1:55

    We now approach the villa’s most famous feature: the Corridor of the Great Hunt. This is a staggering 200-foot-long (60-meter) hallway that stretches along the edge of the peristyle. …

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  5. 5The Room of the Ten Maidens (The Bikini Girls)1:49

    Perhaps the most widely recognized image from the Villa Romana del Casale is found in a small room adjacent to the peristyle: the mosaic of the 'Ten Maidens,' popularly known as the 'Bikini Girls.' This playful and surprising…

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  6. 6The Private Apartments: Odysseus and Polyphemus1:51

    As we move into the northern wing of the villa, we enter the private apartments of the family. These rooms are smaller and more intimate, but no less lavishly decorated. …

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  7. 7The Great Basilica and the Throne Room1:49

    Our final stop within the villa is the most majestic room of all: the Great Basilica. Before the term was associated with churches, a basilica was a Roman administrative hall used for receiving guests and conducting judicial…

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  8. 8Closing1:47

    As we leave the sun-drenched ruins of the Villa Romana del Casale and step back into the modern Sicilian landscape, the images of the Great Hunt and the Bikini Girls linger in the mind like a vibrant dream. We have journeyed…

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What is Villa Romana del Casale?

Villa Romana del Casale is a place with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.

Key facts
TypeHeritage
Story sections8
Total length14 min 56 s in all
Text languageEnglish
Coordinates37.3647, 14.3346
Last updated
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