The great mosaic of Minori's Roman Villa returns to public view

On the occasion of National Landscape Day, on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at 4 p.m., the large floor mosaic of the triclinium-ninphyphaeum room of the Roman Villa of Minori, which until now has been obscured by a layer of debris, micro vegetation and mosses sedimented over time, will once again be visible to the public.

The cleaning, which brought new light to the mosaic, was carried out as part of the preparatory activities for the planning of the major restoration and enhancement of the Roman Villa currently underway. The return of the mosaic to the public on Landscape Day, promoted by the Campania Regional Museums Directorate in collaboration with the ABAP Superintendency of Salerno and Avellino, will be an opportunity to recount the course of the intervention and its phases.

The Minori nymphaeum mosaic, which depicts a hunting scene and a marine procession (thiasos) of Nereids and mythological sea creatures, represents the constant dialogue between nature and artifice that characterized Roman art.

The triclinium-ninpheus room, with its precious mosaic, defined the maritime landscape of the Roman Villa of Minori through the open monumental arch in the facade of the lower level, facing the sea, whose coastline was much more advanced than it is today, enriched with niches that contained, probably, scenic water features. The residential complex was then further embellished by the illusionistic suggestions of the reflections generated by the waters of the large pool built in the sea-facing facade and the swimming pool (natatio), inside the porticoed garden (viridarium).

The event will be attended by Marta Ragozzino, Campania Regional Museums Director; Raffaella Bonaudo, Soprintendente Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio for the provinces of Salerno and Avellino; and Andrea Reale, Mayor of Minori.

Photo by Emiliano Amato

The great mosaic of Minori's Roman Villa returns to public view

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