The Villa of Linguella is a typical example of a Roman Maritime villa, that is to say a coastal residential complex of the Roman upper class, aimed both at the control of ownership and interests of the owners, and more obviously, at the otium of the same.
The complex dates back in its first plant to the late republic or the first empire (1st century BC – 1st century AD) and had to extend to the sea that submerges its offshoots – even with its own piers and docks. The plan of the villa elbana is not easily readable, as it was partially upset by the construction of the Medici fortifications. The visible environments are in fact distributed in two distinct areas, separated by the access to the Martello Tower. Relatively few evidences remain of the first building phase, including the remains of a thermal environment, the laconicum (recognizable sauna in the circular room with four apses). The room, partially erased from the current road, was paved in earthenware with inserts of hexagonal marble tiles arranged in a radial pattern. The first renovations date back to the 2nd century AD, when some rooms were added to the residential area, including a triclinium (banquet hall). The rich colored mosaic floors adjacent to the thermal rooms belong to this phase. At the beginning of the third century A.D. the complex underwent substantial renovations, characterized by a rich decorative program. In fact, rooms with marble inlaid floors (opus settile) are created. The villa sees its decline and abandonment as most of the residential complexes of this type, during the 5th century AD.
Polychrome mosaic decorated with geometric motifs.
360 ° View of the Roman Villa of Linguella
How to reach the Villa Romana of the Linguella
The Villa of Linguella is located at the extreme tip of the tourist port of Portoferraio . In the summer the area is limited to traffic, if we arrive by car, we can park outside the historic center, where there is a large parking lot.