Category: Archaeology > Station
District: Faro > Silves > Silves > Poço Fundo
The Vila Fria Archaeological Station is located in Silves, Algarve, Portugal, and has been considered a Property of Public Interest since 1997.
The archaeological station is an ancient Roman villa that was part of a farm. The ancient structures, including walls, pavements and an imposing mansion, are relatively well preserved. Traces of a necropolis, workers' residences and buildings related to agriculture were also found.
The station is located in a plain area, between two streams, one to the Northeast that flows into the Arade River, and another to the Southeast, known as Barranco da Vila.
The degree of preservation of the structures and the presence of archaeological layers in good condition make the Roman Villa of Vila Fria a site of great heritage relevance. This allowed for the creation of a program of valorization and musealization.
Archaeological remains were found during agricultural work and were identified as a Roman villa in 1986. The findings include walls, tesserae, ceramics, glass and coins.
The archaeological station was involved in a controversy related to the construction of the Vila Fria Golf Course and the impact on ancient structures. The implementation of the golf course caused damage to the archaeological remains.
Between 2005 and 2006, studies and diagnostic work were carried out to assess the limits of the archaeological remains, their potential and the negative impacts of agricultural and golf activities. Several structures were discovered, possibly belonging to the central nucleus of the ancient Roman villa.
The elaboration of the Environmental Impact Assessment took place after the completion of the golf course. The process was criticized for the delay and the lack of prevention against environmental damage.
In addition to the structures, several pieces of Roman ceramics, amphorae, coins and ceramic pieces from the modern and contemporary periods were discovered.
The Vila Fria Archaeological Station offers tourists the opportunity to explore the ruins of an ancient Roman villa, learn about the history and culture of the region, and appreciate the preserved archaeological heritage.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estação_arqueológica_de_Vila_Fria
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.1659224,-8.4261045
Coordinates DMS: 37°09'57.3"N 08°25'34.0"W
Weather Silves
On-duty Pharmacy Silves
