In July 2005, the remains of an ancient Roman villa were discovered in the Sant’Anna district of the town of Spello, in the central Italian region of Umbria. Further excavations unearthed 20 rooms with a total area of some 500 m², 10 of which contained intact polychrome floor mosaics dating from the late imperial period – around the 3rd-4th century AD. The mosaics were subsequently restored and enhanced, and an interactive multimedia museum was established under an EU-funded project.
Multimedia museum for ancient Roman villa of mosaics in Spello, Italy
- 26 July 2019
I think that, today, Umbria can be proud because, with Spello’s Villa of Mosaics, it has added another pearl, another marvel which people with a passion, connoisseurs, tourists and visitors can come to the region specifically to see.
In the initial phase, the 1 500 m² building that would house the museum and protect the remains of the villa was constructed. The building was then fitted out and the external areas were landscaped, prior to the opening of the museum in March 2018.
Designed based on sustainable principles, the museum has become a leading tourist attraction, pulling in more than 27 000 visitors in its first year. Educational activities for school students help broaden its appeal.
An archaeological treasure
Located close to Spello’s town walls, the villa contains remnants of ancient frescoes and polychrome plasterwork on the walls, along with the mosaics. The mosaics depict wild animals, mythical creatures, a wine pouring scene, representations of the seasons, and geometric shapes.
The 20 rooms probably formed the central part of the original building, construction of which is believed to have taken place over two phases: the first around 27 BC-14 AD, and the next between the 2nd and early 3rd centuries AD. The rooms without mosaic flooring and plasterwork are thought to have been service rooms.
Various challenges had to be overcome to turn this archaeological treasure into a museum. Firstly, it was necessary to obtain funding for the excavations, the lengthy and meticulous restoration of the mosaics and the plasterwork, and the construction of a museum attractive to all age groups.
Another challenge concerned the integration of a modern building with the ancient archaeological finds and the surrounding landscape. To achieve this, the walls were covered with copper and pigmented concrete, to reproduce the tones of Spello’s historic stone walls. Grass was laid on the laminated-wood roof to ensure it merges visually with the Umbrian countryside.
Sustainability has been ensured through the installation of solar panels, LED lighting and a rainwater recovery system. In addition, the single-storey structure facilitates access for people with disabilities, and is designed to make future extension possible.
Immersion in Roman life
Dedicated pathways backed up by an information point guide visitors around the villa’s rooms. Suspended screens with 3D video reconstructions of the original environments and beacon sensors that connect to an app allow them to immerse themselves in the life of Hispellum, as Spello was called under the Roman Empire.
Further immersion – this time in a virtual reconstruction of the villa – is possible in the multimedia room, which is equipped with 3D viewers and tablets providing in-depth information on the period.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Valorisation of the Roman villa in the S. Anna district of Spello” is EUR 4 270 000, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 1 300 000 through the “Umbria” Operational Programme for the 2007-2013 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “ICT”.