Villa romana di Desenzano del Garda
Late-antique Roman villa in the centre of Desenzano with rich mosaics, among the most important in northern Italy, and an Antiquarium at the entrance.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Roman villa of Desenzano, in the historic centre of the town on Lake Garda, was built at the end of the 1st century BC and went through several building phases. What can be seen today dates from the first half of the 4th century AD and is regarded as the most important surviving example of the great late-antique villas of northern Italy. The name of the owner, Decentius, is said to have given rise to the place name Desenzano.
The villa was discovered by chance in 1921, when earthworks for the foundations of a house brought to light polychrome mosaics: the works were halted and the area was expropriated to begin excavations. The excavations revealed three sectors. Sector A, overlooking the lake, includes an octagonal vestibule with geometric mosaics, the peristyle and a three-apse triclinium with the best-preserved floor, showing scenes of hunting, the grape harvest and fruit gathering. Sector B preserves an apse with a marble floor and mosaic rooms, while Sector C probably served as baths.
The Antiquarium, opened on 19 December 1971 at the entrance to the archaeological area, displays coins, paintings, statues and other materials found during the excavations. Since 2014 the site has been managed by the Ministry of Culture, now through the Direzione regionale Musei della Lombardia.
Highlights
- Three-apse triclinium with hunting and grape-harvest mosaics
- Octagonal vestibule with a mosaic floor overlooking the lake
- Peristyle and rooms of the late-antique villa of the 4th century
- Sector with probable baths and heating systems
- Antiquarium with statues, wall paintings and objects of everyday life
Permanent exhibition
- Area archeologica e Antiquarium – Mosaics and rooms of the late-antique villa (sectors A, B and C) and an exhibition hall with finds from the excavations.
- Operated by
- Ministero della Cultura – Direzione regionale Musei della Lombardia
- Visitors per year
- approx. 28,457
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €2European Union citizens aged 18 to 25 |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free admission for under-18s. |
Free admission: First Sunday of the month: free admission to state cultural sites.
Rates of €5 standard and €2 reduced according to Museionline; check the Ministry website. Free-admission categories for state museums (under-18s, etc.) apply under the rules of the Ministry of Culture.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours available (service listed by Museionline); information on +39 030 914 3547. |
