Villa Romana del Castle (Villa romana dels Ametllers) - the archaeological site, which is a Museum of antiquity under the open sky, situated in the town of Tossa de Mar, Avinguda del Pelegrí, 5-13, near the bus station of Tossa de Mar.
Archaeological excavations of the Villa in Tossa are of great historical importance and testify to the rich past of the region, that once on this earth has a province of Ancient Rome - Tarakan.
The remains of the once elegant Villa was discovered in 1914 by Dr. Ignasi Melo.
The Villa was founded in the 1st century BC and remained in use until 5-6 centuries of our era. This was a rural Villa for the cultivation of grapes and wine exports.
From an architectural point of view Villa is consisted of two differentiated areas:
the upper level residential "Pars Urbana" ("pars urbana"),
and lower agricultural "Pars of fructuaria" ("pars fructuaria"), where warehouses and processing facilities for agricultural products, which produced wine, oil, salted fish, and where also were stored the cereals.
The lower level of the archaeology of the Villa
Now is a small plot with small remnants of the former subsidiary and ancillary buildings.
The top level of the archaeology of the Villa
More interesting and best preserved part of the Villa Castle.
On the upper level you can see the partially preserved mosaic floors, the remains of the rooms, a patio with a fountain and Thermae (Roman baths).
Garden with porticos and decorations were place for a stroll. A view of the garden is also opened from the main rooms.
The houses were private areas that are used only by family and close friends, and other public places to receive visitors, business or a meal with guests.
Warehouse and facilities designed for the food industry, production tools, etc. In the past, this area was part of a large garden (3-5 century ad).
Thermae. For the Romans baths had the same social and hygienic importance, which dictated a ritual: they went to different rooms, combining hot with cold baths, as were rooms for massage or even a sauna.
Originally the Villa Castle baths had only two rooms, in the Northern part (1st century BC), which was expanded in the second century.
Entrance to the excavations free (free). Opening hours: from 10:00 to 19:00 hours.
Some of the objects found during the excavations at the Villa (mosaics, moldings, sculptures, ceramics, coins), now kept in the Municipal Museum of Tossa de Mar, located in a historic building within the fortified medieval walls of the old city. Read more about fortress of Tossa de Mar...
Opposite the Villa, across the street Av. Pelegrí, is another significant attraction of Tossa de Mar, the ancient hospital of San Miguel, the walls of which are now cultural center and chapel of San Miguel. Read more about hospital San Miguel...
