The Villa dei Quintili (“Villa of the Quintilii”) is an ancient Roman ruin between the Via Appia Antica and the Via Appia Nuova in Rome. It was built in the 2nd century AD and was so impressive that the then emperor had the owners murdered and went to live there himself.
Villa dei Quintili Rome
Opening hours and admission
Opening hours: From 09.00 till one hour before sunset. Closed: Mondays, January 1, December 15. Admission: 5 Euros. EU citizens 18 to 25: 2,50 Euros. Younger than 18: Free. The Villa dei Quintili is free for everybody on the first sunday of the month. The ticket is valid for 1 day and includes the Cecilia Metella Mausoleum. The Roma Pass is valid. Part of the villa, but not everything, is wheelchair accessible.
History and description
The Villa dei Quintili had 52 richly decorated rooms. The owners were two brothers, Sesto Quintilio Condiano en Sesto Quintilio Valerio Massimo, who had important positions during the reign of Marcus Aurelius.
The Emperor Commodus liked the complex so much that he had the brothers thrown out and even killed, so that he could go and live there himself (182 AD). The Villa stayed in imperial hands until the end of the 3rd century. During the middle ages most of the villa came to be covered with layers of earth. It was not until the 18th century that the ruins were excavated. The excavations unearthed numerous statues that can now be seen in musems all over the world. The most famous one is the Aphrodite Braschi.
During excavations in the 19th century lead pipes were found. Because the name Quintili was inscribed on some of these one knows who its original owners were.
Highlights Villa dei Quintili
There is an aquarium near the present entrance of the villa along the Via Appia Nuova.
Across the villa, on the Via Appia Antica side, the ruins of a monumental nymphaeum can be seen.
A vast garden, part of which was used as a horse racing track leads to the living quarters. This main building consists of an enormous courtyard around which the rooms were laid out. These were decorated with marble and even had central heating.
The living area consisted of bedrooms, thermal areas, servant quarters and a number of crypt-porticoes.
The most important parts of the villa, including the calidarium and frigidarium, are located on the Via Appia Nuova side. The frigidarium consists of a big central room, with cold water tubs on the sides.
Other rooms are much smaller, but are equipped with baths and heating.
Address and public transport
The address of the Villa dei Quintili is Via Appia Nuova 1092, 00178 – Rome (tel. +39 067129121). District: Zona Capannelle. Bus: 654, 663, 664, C11, N26.