Tapestries in tiles: The Mosaics of Villa Romana del Casale, Piazza Armerina, Sicily

I think it may be time for another UNESCO World Heritage Site! Also, this one involves mosaics, and I do like a good mosaic. I certainly do. The Villa Romana del Casale includes, according to UNESCO’s website, ‘the finest mosaics in situ anywhere in the Roman world’. Well, until or unless someone digs up some other ones elsewhere, I suppose. There are over 3,000 square metres of mosaics at the villa (heaven!), including a depiction of Roman ladies in bikinis (although they weren’t called bikinis then, of course), more of which later.

No one knows who owned this villa, built in the fourth century AD on the site of an earlier structure, but it was clearly someone with plenty of money, probably the master of a large agricultural estate. He (and, let’s face it, it probably was a ‘he’) may alternatively have been a senator. Maybe both. Politicians often have second jobs, don’t they? The villa comprised public and private rooms, so it was used for administrative and residential purposes. It was apparently inhabited for around 150 years and may then have been destroyed by invading Vandals. If not, it was certainly destroyed by a landslide in the twelfth century, although this may have naturally assisted in preserving what remained. Excavation work began in the nineteenth century and continues to this day.

Subjects of the many beautifully preserved mosaics include hunting, mythological scenes, people on boats, and sporting activities. The ladies in the ‘bikinis’ are the best known of these, and I suppose this is because they are so unexpected and seem so familiar. Mind you, I tend to have a bit more clothing on when I exercise, although this may be because I live in a more temperate climate. The figures are beautifully rendered, and there’s a real sense of animation about them. The various scenes depicted throughout the villa are teeming with colourful life from long ago in what seem like tapestries in tiles.

If, like me, you’re tantalised and transfixed by tesserae, this is a must-see if you visit sunny Sicily. Lots and lots of lovely pics below for your delectation.

For more information: Villa Romana del Casale - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

above and below: On board ship. Always difficult trying to get an elephant aboard. 

above: More seafaring activities.

above, and four photos below: Various hunting scenes.

above: Some sort of picnic arrangement. Barbecued chicken, I think.

above, and below two photos: Mythological goings-on.

above: Presumably, if you can't eat a bird, you can, um, use it to pull your chariot...

above: Clearly a busy day in the forum.