Villa romana e Antiquarium di Palazzo Pignano
Late antique residential complex with mosaics and heated rooms, alongside a small Antiquarium with finds from the excavations; visits by appointment.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The archaeological area of Palazzo Pignano preserves the remains of a large late antique residential complex covering about six hectares. Excavations, begun in 1963, are still under way. The most recent phase, datable to the 4th–5th century AD, rose above a 1st-century AD rustic villa that had been enlarged until the 3rd century and included a refined pavilion villa and an early Christian church with a central plan, recognisable beneath the present Romanesque pieve of San Martino.
Among the most remarkable spaces are an octagonal courtyard, a peristyle paved with Verona stone, an apsed hall heated by a hypocaust system, mosaic floors, a colonnaded portico, a garden with a nymphaeum and a large agricultural storehouse. At the end of the 1990s the state acquired part of the structures, making the area accessible to the public.
Today the site is protected by the Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio (heritage authority for archaeology, fine arts and landscape) for the provinces of Cremona, Lodi and Mantua, which manages it together with the municipality of Palazzo Pignano. In rooms made available by the municipality, a small Antiquarium displays some of the finds from the excavations, including fragments of window glass and parts of marble sculptures. The interior of the pieve, with the walls of the oldest place of worship, can be visited by arrangement with the parish.
Highlights
- Octagonal courtyard and peristyle in Verona stone
- Apsed hall with hypocaust heating
- Mosaic floors
- Early Christian church with central plan beneath the pieve of San Martino
- Antiquarium with window glass and fragments of marble sculptures
Permanent exhibition
- Antiquarium di Palazzo Pignano – Small collection in municipal rooms with finds from the excavations of the late antique villa, including fragments of window glass and parts of marble sculptures.
- Operated by
- Soprintendenza ABAP per le province di Cremona, Lodi e Mantova; Comune di Palazzo Pignano
- Visitors per year
- approx. 3,580
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission to the archaeological area.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
No information on accessibility is published; it is advisable to contact the booking contact.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Booking is mandatory. Guided tours are available; the interior of the pieve of San Martino can be visited by arrangement with the parish. |
