Roman villa of Pisões, encompassing the Roman dam that is located nearby

Category: Archaeology > Villa

District: Beja > Beja > Beja > Santiago Maior e São João Baptista

Location

The Roman Villa of Pisões is located in Herdade de Algramaça, in Beja, Portugal.

Description

It is a Roman manor house from the period between the 1st and 4th centuries AD, with vestiges also from the Visigothic period. It is an important Roman monument in Beja and one of the best-preserved Roman villas in Portugal.

Mosaics

Highlight the mosaics of the villa, which feature geometric designs and natural themes, such as birds and marine animals. They are particularly rich and well-preserved.

Baths

The villa has a thermal complex with a heating system called hypocaust. The baths are considered one of the most important in the country.

Pool

There is a large pool in the villa, approximately 40 meters long by 8.30 meters wide. There is also a tank with marine mosaics, possibly used for leisure and refreshment on hot days.

Water Supply

Near the villa, the wall of a dam was discovered that supplied water to the house and for agricultural exploitation. The dam formed a reservoir with a maximum capacity of 38 thousand cubic meters of water.

Associated Archaeological Sites

In the surroundings of Villa de Pisões, other archaeological sites were identified, such as Pisões 2, Pisões 4, Pisões 5 and Pisões 6, which have vestiges from the Neolithic to the Roman period.

Finds

Fragments of ceramics, metal pieces, bronze and silver coins, tombstones and other artifacts were found on site, which provide information about life in the villa.

Importance and Preservation

The Roman Villa of Pisões is considered one of the most important and well-preserved structures in the Iberian Peninsula. It was classified as a Property of Public Interest in 1970.

History

The villa was built during the Roman period, possibly belonging to a wealthy individual from the city of Pax Julia (present-day Beja). Furthermore, it was a center of agricultural production and one of the satellite settlements of the city.

Challenges and Preservation

The archaeological site faces challenges due to lack of resources and the threat of nearby plantations. It is important to ensure its preservation and carry out complete studies in the area of the ruins and adjacent zones.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_romana_de_Pisões

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt