Roman Villa Domizia on the Isle of Giannutri

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Giannutri, latin Dianium, is the smallest island of the Tuscan archipelago, and it houses one of the most prestigious maritime villas from Roman times.

This residential complex, belonging to the senatorial family Domizi Enobarbi, was built in the period between the I and the II century A.D. During the reign of Nero, it became one of the imperial territories.

The villa, placed at the centre of the island, shows a complex architecture, characterised by a series of spaces designed for different functions.

The residential part was divided into three levels connected by ample flights of steps and it was organised around a rectangular courtyard. There was also a ninfeo (a pretend cave equipped with a fountain, connected to the cult of the nymphs). The upper floor housed the bedrooms, a dining room (triclinio) and a panoramic terrace from which one could see the coast line from Northern Lazio to the Mount Argentario. The villa was equipped with a heating system which blowed heat from appropriate holes in the walls, creating a warm place even in winter time.

Close to the entrance there were baths, and in the east-side of the house there was the housing quarter of the servants (ergastulum).
Two marine docks were connected to the villa, Cala Spalmatoio and Cala Maestra, together with a complex for the processing of fish (cetaria).

Visiting the island is not always possible, please refer to the Tuscan Archipelago National Park.


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