Villa Romana delle Grotte

About

The monumental complex of Le Grotte dominates the stretch of sea between Populonia and Portoferraio, and stands opposite the Roman building known as La Linguella, on the other side of the bay. The first archaeological excavations on the hill (1960-1972) were carried out by Giorgio Monaco, an Inspector at the Superintendency of Antiquities for Etruria. The building, constructed using the opus reticulatum technique, followed architectural plans for a complex made up of “block” units, arranged on two artificial terraces, all emerging from the surrounding territory. For many years it was interpreted as a luxurious maritime villa designed for the purposes of otium (private relaxation) for an important member of the senatorial elite. However, today the complex tells a different story, thanks to research conducted between 2019 and 2022 by the University of Siena.

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 30 minutes