Category: Archaeology > Roman Villa
District: Faro > Olhão > Marim > Quinta de Marim
The Roman Villa of Quinta de Marim is located in the Quinta de Marim urbanization, in the locality of Marim, municipality of Olhão. This archaeological site is part of a vast property, strategically positioned on the right bank of the Ribeira do Marim. It is a short distance, about one kilometer, from both the vibrant city of Olhão and the protected landscape of the Ria Formosa Natural Park.
Geographically, its location was of great relevance in antiquity, situated halfway between the important Roman cities of Ossónoba (present-day Faro) and Balsa (in the parish of Luz de Tavira), facilitating connections and trade in the Algarve region.
The remains of the Roman Villa of Quinta de Marim represent one of the most significant testimonies of the Roman presence in the Algarve. This ancient settlement, which flourished from the 2nd century until the beginning of the 5th century, was not just a residence, but a vast and multifunctional complex. Activities ranging from domestic and religious life to production and trade took place here, illustrating how the Romans exploited the region's natural resources.
This archaeological site, of considerable dimensions, integrated various structures essential for the life and economy of the time. Visitors can imagine the layout of a manor house, accompanied by a bathhouse, where the bathing ritual, essential in Roman culture, was practiced. There were also warehouses, a rectangular-plan temple with an apse, and funerary structures such as a mausoleum and several necropoleis.
In addition to the residential and religious area, the villa had an important industrial complex, especially dedicated to fish processing. It included cetariae, or rectangular fish-salting tanks, fundamental for the preparation of fish products that would later be commercialized. The villa's location, near the estuary of Ribeira de Marim and the ocean, was strategic, allowing for easy transportation of production to other coastal regions via navigation.
Excavations carried out at Quinta de Marim revealed a vast and diverse collection of artifacts, which allows for the reconstruction of aspects of the daily and economic life of its inhabitants. Numerous ceramic fragments were discovered, including amphorae for transporting goods, terra sigillata (fine pottery) vessels, as well as oil lamps that illuminated the spaces.
Among the finds are also jewels, coins, and funerary stelae with inscriptions, which give us an idea of the beliefs and the people who lived here. Particularly interesting is the abundance of mollusk remains, especially oysters, which underscores their importance in the Roman diet and gastronomic preferences. The remains of fresco wall paintings, with their varied colors, suggest the decorative richness of some of the villa's buildings.
The history of human occupation at Quinta de Marim is long, with evidence dating back to the prehistoric period, long before the arrival of the Romans, as attested by the stone tools found. Popular tradition even suggests a later Islamic presence, enriching the local legends associated with this site.
Currently, the area where the ancient Roman fish-salting tanks were located is integrated into the Ria Formosa Natural Park. This connection between archaeological heritage and nature conservation gives the Roman Villa of Quinta de Marim added value, offering a setting where history and environment meet harmoniously.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 37.04081788, -7.813891525
Coordinates DMS: 37°02'26.9"N 07°48'50.0"W
On-duty Pharmacy Marim
