The archaeological area of the Roman Villa of Varignano preserves the remains of the oldest oil mill in Liguria, still nestled in an olive grove. Also visible are the structures of a luxurious villa, in ancient times overlooking the sea, equipped with precious floors, private baths and a cistern for collecting water.
The Roman Villa, set in a landscape-environmental context of considerable value
at the bottom of a protected inlet at Le Grazie di Porto Venere (Sp), is part of a system of landings and landed estates (fundi) built by the Romans in the wide gulf of La Spezia and related to the nearby port of the colony of Luna (Portus Lunae).
News and events
Visit
Tuesday – Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (last admission 5:45 p.m.)
Sunday 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (last admission 12:45 p.m.)
Full 3 €
Reduced 2 € (18-25 years old)
Free under 18 years old
Combined with Luni National Museum and Archaeological Park 5 € (valid 1 year)
Reservations are required for Groups (more than 10 people).
Download, fill out and mail the reservation form to.
drm-lig.villaromana.varignano@cultura.gov.it
The area is not physically accessible for people with walking limitations; however, full cognitive accessibility is provided via the website and the touch station located next to the ticket office.
Services for young visitors
There is a range of supports for visiting mothers with newborns: changing table in the women’s bathroom and a baby pitstop with breastfeeding chair at the Turra farmhouse, set up with the contribution of the Soroptimist Club of La Spezia as part of an international collaborative project with UNICEF to promote breastfeeding.
How to get there
Via Varignano Vecchio – 19025 Portovenere (SP) – Italia Open on Google Maps®
The archaeological area can be reached by ATC bus from La Spezia to Porto Venere (http://www.atcesercizio.it/index.php/it/), get off at Le Grazie stop and proceed on foot along the waterfront and follow the signs to the villa.
By car from La Spezia take the SP370 (via delle Cinque Terre), continue on the SP530 in Porto Venere to the locality of Le Grazie; park on the waterfront and walk a short distance following the appropriate signs.
With a single ticket you can visit both the remains of the Roman Villa-comprising the residential and agricultural areas-and the exhibition space with the artifacts found inside.
The visiting time varies, but it is between 30 and in 90 minutes, and the reception staff is at your disposal.
At the archaeological site you will be able to:
- discover more about the world of the ancient Romans
- enjoy an area surrounded by olive trees
- get around with the help of a map
- access free audio guides, LIS videos and augmented reality experiences on your cell phone
- use a baby pit stop and a nursing room
- request a free kit to make it easier for children to visit
- use educational spaces for toddlers
- bring dogs on leashes, but be aware that there are cats on the loose
- celebrate civil unions and marriages
- organize and attend events and performances
There are no food stations in the area, but there are plenty of benches and there is a drinking fountain at the entrance.