They were really well hidden, but you know when the story needs to be discovered, something always happens. And it was really a lot to re-emerge beauty. Who would have imagined that under one of the largest and most important vineyards in northern Italy there was a Roman villa. Just like that one of those villas that belong to the history of our peninsula, rich in mosaics that tell a part of Story ancient. A truly extraordinary discovery: a Roman mosaic among the vineyards of Vapolicella, in the Veronese area. These are the lands that give life to Amarone, a fine wine produced in the area. Vine trees that we can say were nourished by a land rich in history.
A mosaic of the floor of an ancient house
The discovery took place in via Villa in Negrar. It would be a mosaic that dates back to the third century after Christ. These are the floors of a villa that probably gives the village its name. And slowly the various parts of this are re-emerging precious place, which for years was buried in sight of man but which has been preserved. "There was a large central hall measuring ten meters by seven - explained Gianni De Zuccato, archaeologist of the Superintendency-. Then there were other rooms on either side, one with the apse".
The discovery of the villa and the mosaic, a bit of history
According to the study that was done on the site, the mosaic of the hamlet Villa di Negrar and therefore the place it would have been identified in 1922. The discovery of some remains is due to the passionate archaeologist Tina Campanile. Like those of other Roman villas on Lake Garda, in Brenzone and Desenzano. Then from some documents it was also discovered that around 1925 the owner of the time came to terms with the municipal administration. His goal was to use the land for agricultural purposes. And in the Eighties even construction on it was avoided. But nature has instead run its course. Above the villa, in fact, the vineyards of Valpolicella have grown luxuriantly. Amarone wine has been produced for years, and the properties have changed. Now it belongs to the Ferrari sisters, Antonella, Simonetta, Elisabetta, Emanuela and Monica.
Hence the mayor Roberto Grison's commitment to return the villa to its history. And so negotiations have begun between the Municipality, the Superintendency and the owners. Then the cores and the analyzes on the ground were carried out with the operational team of Sap (Società Archeologica Srl). Excavations coordinated by the Superintendency have begun and the first remains have emerged.
The news also spread internationally
A find that aroused great interest. The images of the mosaic that have been published by the Municipality of Negrar on social media have also been relaunched by CNN. "Now the constraint on the whole area is more stringent - added De Zuccato - therefore there should be no more mistakes. " It will be necessary to make a purchase proposal to individuals to have the area. But it even seems that an important foreign winery has asked to buy the entire vineyard, leaving the archaeological site at the disposal of those who want to see it.
The hypotheses for the use of the site
And now that the site has been discovered, it is necessary to study possible hypotheses for its use. Also because in the post Covid and with the reopening of many archaeological sites this could also attract numerous visitors. The Superintendency, the owners of the area and the Municipality are in fact trying to identify ways to make the site available and open to visitors.
