ANTIČKA VILLA RUSTICA

Villa that occupied almost the entire area of the archaeological site

Three groups of archeological and historical layers dominate the site next to the church of St. Martin. The earliest phase is the ancient villa rustica. Villa rustica is an ancient Roman out-of-town residential and economic complex that was the center of land holdings.
The ancient villa was built in several phases, the first of which dates back to the 1st century, and various reconstructions and additions lasted until the 5th century.
The standard of living in the villa was at a high level, as evidenced by the found thermal complex with all the elements: fireplace, passage room with moderate temperature, pool with warm water, area for sweating with the help of steam, and pool with cold water. There was a spacious yard inside the villa.
Fragments of painted wall plaster and parts of the wall built in different marble were also found, as well as a black and white floor mosaic - all this confirms the high standard of housing.
There is no water source in the surrounding area of the villa, so the water needed for the thermal system, as well as for other needs, is drawn from the depths or rainwater is accumulated in cisterns. Two cisterns were discovered in which water collected from the roofs of buildings was stored - one had a bottom made of waterproof plaster, and the other was lined with bricks in the shape of a herringbone.