Roman Villa of Orpheus

The Villa was built outside the walls of the old Tridentum (the ancient city dating back to the Roman age), in what is believed was a sector of the city reserved to prestigious residential villas. The oldest findings that can be admired date back to the first decades of the 1st century a.C.. The greatest development of this residential area occured between the 1st and the 3rd century a.C.. It is precisely to this period that the findings belong. Of particular value is the environment characterized by the presence of a splendid polychrome mosaic carpet which portrays Orpheus (hence the name of the Villa) playing the lyre surrounded by animals.

The discovery of the Villa dates back to 1954, when the mosaic depicting Orpheus was found. Thanks to new investigations, conducted starting from 1958, other parts of the same building had been found.The archeological site was inaugurated in October 1966 but, only a few days later, a dramatic flood hit the city, making it necessary to close the Villa in order to carry out restoration work on its damaged treasures. From June 2023 the Villa is open to visitor again.