The Roman Villa of Desenzano del Garda is preparing to host a significant cultural event. On Friday, July 5th at 6:30 pm, the Syrian poet Maram al-Masri will be the protagonist of an evening dedicated to poetry titled “Barefoot Souls”. The event is a collaboration between the Regional Directorate of National Museums and the House of Poetry in Baronissi (SA).
Maram al-Masri, renowned for her verses that explore themes such as love, pain, and the desire for freedom, will read her poems in their original language with simultaneous video translation. The evening promises intense emotions, evoking the lament of mothers and the sensuality of love through the author’s words.
Reservations and Information
Admission to the event will be through a ticket to the Domus, and it is advisable to book in advance to secure a seat. For further information, please contact the Villa Romana at the following contacts:
– Address: Via Crocefisso, 22, 25015 Desenzano del Garda
– Phone: +39 030 9143547
– Email: drm-lom.villadesenzano@cultura.gov.it
History and Importance of the Roman Villa
The archaeological area of the Roman Villa in Desenzano is recognized as one of the most significant late ancient villas in northern Italy. Originally built between the 1st century BC and the 4th century AD, this residence offers a panoramic view of Lake Garda and was located near the Via Gallica, an important road connecting Bergamo (Bergomum), Brescia (Brixia), and Verona.
The artifacts found during the excavations are displayed in the three rooms of the Antiquarium inside the villa. These include kitchen and dining ceramics, small bronze utensils in the first room, fragments of decorative statues in the second room, and two large panels with decorative fresco fragments in the third room.
Architecture and Historical Artifacts
The villa included both residential and rustic areas and was equipped with docks, wharves, and probably fish ponds for fish farming. The current charm of the villa is enriched by mosaic floors depicting animals, flowers, fruits, and pagan scenes.
It is hypothesized that the last construction phase of the villa was commissioned by Flavius Magnus Decentius, brother of the emperor Magnentius (350 – 353 AD), from which the current name of the city of Desenzano may derive.
Italian Version