Villa Romana La Olmeda

About the museum

The villa was discovered in the summer of 1968, when agricultural work in the plot known as La Olmeda, in the municipality of Pedrosa de la Vega, uncovered the remains of a wall. Javier Cortes Álvarez de Miranda, the owner of the land, excavated it and maintained it at his own expense for twelve years. In 1980 he donated the villa and its land to the Diputación de Palencia (Palencia Provincial Council), which set up a board of trustees (patronato), covered the site and opened the villa and its museum to the public in 1984.

It is a large rural residence of the 4th century AD, with a square plan, towers at the corners and rooms around a courtyard with a peristyle. Of its 35 rooms and baths, 26 retain polychrome mosaics covering about 1,450 m². The main hall (oecus) features one of the most important figurative mosaics of Roman Europe, showing the episode of Achilles discovered by Ulysses on Skyros, and a hunting scene. The site was declared a Bien de Interés Cultural (Asset of Cultural Interest) in 1996.

Between 2005 and 2009 the site was closed to build a contemporary building by the Paredes Pedrosa studio, which protects the ruins and organises the route with walkways, panels and audiovisual resources; the new facilities reopened in 2009. The objects found in the excavations are displayed in the Museo de La Olmeda, housed in the church of San Pedro in Saldaña, which was completely renovated in 2018.

Highlights

• Achilles discovered by Ulysses on Skyros mosaic and a hunting scene in the main hall
• 1,450 m² of polychrome mosaics preserved in situ
• Thermal baths complex with a visitor walkway
• Contemporary building by Paredes Pedrosa protecting the site
• Monographic museum in the church of San Pedro in Saldaña with more than 300 pieces

Permanent exhibitions

• Villa romana y mosaicos – Route along walkways over the 4th-century rural mansion, with its mosaics, baths and audiovisual resources.
• Museo de La Olmeda en Saldaña – More than 300 objects from the excavations (pottery, ornaments, tools, glass and coins), models and virtual reconstructions in the church of San Pedro.

Founded

1984

Operated by

Diputación de Palencia

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Tuesdays from 15:00, and 18 May (International Museum Day).

The single ticket (€5) is valid for the villa and for the Museo de La Olmeda in Saldaña. Tickets can be bought at the ticket office or online and collected at reception; they do not include booking a guided visit. Reductions require proof of eligibility.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

Ramps, walkways and adapted toilets; reserved parking spaces; wheelchairs free on request. Braille signage along the route. Sign language interpreting on request in advance (979 119 997). Easy-read guide available. Guide dogs and therapy dogs are allowed.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Educational notebooks for primary and secondary pupils, and workshops and historical re-enactments from May to December. Free baby seats at reception (baby carrier backpacks are not allowed) and changing tables in the toilets. Children must always be accompanied.

Getting there & parking

From Palencia, take the C-615 (about 62 km, turn-off at kilometre marker 55 towards the PP-2420). Saldaña is 3 km from the villa.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Free wifi throughout the site. Shop and bookshop, left-luggage lockers, and a rest area with vending machines for water, drinks and snacks.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Auditorium and conference room with audiovisual projection and internet, for congresses, lectures and professional meetings; written requests to laolmeda@villaromanalaolmeda.com or cultura@diputaciondepalencia.es.

Plan your visit