Cerro da Vila, Vilamoura - Preserved Architectural Remnants and Ruins on Waymarking.com

Cerro da Vila was built during the era of Emperor Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD), a country villa surrounded by fertile fields and supplied with water from a dam built two kilometres away. Its location encouraged the use of marine resources and trade, as shown by the existence of a deep-water port, there was deep water covering much of what is now marsh land to the west of present day Vilamoura and extending some 4kms inland. The water from the dam served the entire Villa complex through a huge network of plumbing, and was a constant feature, pouring from spouts and statues into the garden lake, which was the central space that the entire house revolved around.

The house itself comprised a large room for receptions and summer meals, the bedrooms, the kitchen, bathhouse and service sections, including a cryptoportico *. The walls were covered in stucco and had brightly painted frescoes showing floral and geometrical motifs. The floor was decorated with multicoloured mosaics some of which survive to this day. Sculptures of gods and men decorated the interior spaces, combining to form a magnificent whole of colour and carved stone. . There was also a large public bathhouse with the usual hot and cold rooms, and a swimming pool.

There are the remains of two hexagonal towers (possibly lookouts, as they faced the sea) and a funerary temple with "columbarium" (recesses in walls for the placement of urns). 3rd century additions enlarged the villa and saw the erection of large warehouses.

Little is known about the local economy, but several workshops with water tanks suggest either that fish was processed there or, more probably, that cloth was dyed. The discovery of large numbers of imported goods – anchors, lamps, pottery and glass – proves that Cerro da Vila was part of the Roman Empire's trade network.

The lords of Cerro da Vila were buried in mausoleums with a columbarium, a crypt with small lateral niches that held the urns containing their ashes. At a later date, a vast cemetery grew up with proper burial spaces, although this has only been partially excavated.

A group of Moorish silos have been unearthed built alongside and inside the Roman ruins showing constant occupation of the site for over 1300 years.

In order to upgrade the site and open it to the public, a museum with exhibition hall and large workshops has been built on the site. A brief guide has also been published to help with orientation when visiting the site. Surveys of the port area and studies on the mosaics and the architecture of the villa are ongoing.

* cryptoportico - a covered corridor or passageway, an often semi-subterranean gallery whose vaulting supports portico structures aboveground, e.g. a forum or Roman villa, often used for the cool storage of perishable goods - an ancient refrigerator.

Thanks to jcr for the English translation in cache GCXYCD, and the Farlex Free Dictionary.

Type: Ruin Fee: €2.00, with concessions for OAPs, groups and students. Under 13s free. Hours: Winter - November 1 to April 30: 0930 to 1230 and 1400 to 1700. Summer - May 1 to October 31: 0930 to 1230 and 1400 to 1800. Related URL: [Web Link]

Visit Instructions:
Original photographs showing additional views of the Ruin/Remnant or even just its current condition are encouraged. Please describe your visit, especially if no additional photos are available. Did you like the Ruin or Remnant? What prompted you to see the Ruin or Remnant?

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log   08/24/2012 bmps2003 visited it