This page cannot be viewed in frames

Go to page

If you have found a spelling error, please, notify us by selecting that text and pressing Ctrl+Enter.

Roman villa Sao Cucufate near Vidigueira

This post is also available in: Polish (polski)

Front of the Bishop's Villa in Sao Cucufate facing the great pool
Front of the Bishop's Villa in Sao Cucufate facing the great pool

In the south of Portugal, near the town of Vidigueira, there are remains of a large Roman villa, which dates back to the first century CE. Scientists were able to determine three separate phases of the existence of the building that was being rebuilt.

As mentioned, the first structure was built in the middle of the first century CE. However, it was destroyed and in the middle of the second century CE a new villa was established. This, in turn, declined, and therefore at the end of the second century CE the third version of the villa was created, which ruins can be admired to this day. Of the first two phases, only wall fragments have survived. In the 4th century CE the villa was inhabited by the bishop, and the preserved parts of previous villas were joined together.

Entering the archaeological park, the first thing that will appear to our eyes will be the isolated ruins of the temple, which was dedicated to an unknown Roman deity. In the 5th century CE the building was converted into Christian purposes – burials were found in the portico.

At the front of the villa was a garden, which gradually expanded along a large water reservoir that could serve as a swimming pool in summer. From the pool side there was a terrace with a gallery, where the hosts welcomed their guests. On the other side of the building there was another water pool.

The villa had two levels. At the bottom were, among others pantry and triclinium. The building also had thermae that were adapted for the bishop’s villa. A narrow and steep staircase led upstairs, where in turn there was a longitudinal porch along the entire length of the building and numerous rooms.

The bishop’s villa also had a separate rural part, where slaves or employees lived. There was also press for grapes or olives (lagar).

The villa was abandoned in the middle of the 5th century CE.

Discovered artifacts are kept in the town hall of Vidigueira.

IMPERIUM ROMANUM needs your support!

If you like the content that I collect on the website and that I share on social media channels I will be grateful for the support. Even the smallest amounts will allow me to pay for further corrections, improvements on the site and pay the server.

Support IMPERIUM ROMANUM!

Support IMPERIUM ROMANUM!

Find out more!

Check your curiosity and learn something new about the ancient world of the Romans. By clicking on the link below, you will be redirected to a random entry.

Random curiosity

Random curiosity

Discover secrets of ancient Rome!

If you want to be up to date with newest articles on website and discoveries from the world of ancient Rome, subscribe to the newsletter, which is sent each Saturday.

Subscribe to newsletter!

Subscribe to newsletter

Spelling error report

The following text will be sent to our editors: