Sonntag, 25. März 2018

This hotel in a reconstructed Roman villa in Spain takes its guests back to Roman antiquity

Travel back in time to Villa Romana in Spain | Enjoy dining, residing and bathing pleasure like ancient Romans. This dream can come true for fans of Roman culture and gourmet feasts with original dishes based on ancient Roman recipes in the Spanish region of Extremadura | Guests can expect a model of a typical Roman country house with peristyle courtyard, columns & thermal baths in the heyday of the imperial era
Villa Romana
Dining, residing and enjoying bathing pleasure like ancient Romans...

This dream can come true for fans of sandals and Roman culture in the Spanish region of Extremadura. 

An overnight stay in the authentic 'Villa Romana' resembles a journey back in time to antiquity - with all the amenities that a luxurious Roman country house in the westernmost province of the Roman Empire could offer its inhabitants.

Starting with the architectural concept based on the original model with atriums, peristyle and authentic furnishings, through Roman bathing pleasures in the private spa to gourmet feasts with dishes based on ancient Roman recipes that can be enjoyed lying down just like in ancient Rome. In this unusual hotel with four suites, you can experience the Roman lifestyle up close.

The impressive Roman relics, which are only a few kilometres away and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also contribute to this.


Those who have always longed for an antique lifestyle and feel a tendency towards imperial greatness can expect a stay in the'Villa Romana' in keeping with their social status. You only have to bring your own toga.

The historically interested traveller looking for an old Roman hostel in the motherland of the Empire Romanum is strangely in vain. In order to move into quarters like a Roman senator and indulge in ancient pleasures, you have to go to the southwest of Spain. 


Here, the 'Villa Romana' welcomes its guests on the model of a typical Roman country house in the heyday of the imperial era.


The centre of the complex is a large peristyle courtyard surrounded by columns, which has a viridarium (garden), a natatio (outdoor swimming pool), a solarium and a small forest. According to the ideas of the ancient Romans, who distinguished two areas: one with its statues, fountains and cut bushes under human influence, and a second area, separated by a wooden fence, which symbolizes the unbridled nature. Fruit trees, spices and ornamental plants create a natural-looking mix of colours and shapes to imitate the forest as a symbol of nature. 


A Roman garden would be inconceivable without a water well, which then as now has three functions to fulfil. On the one hand it should provide for refreshment, secondly by its water play entertainment offer, and thirdly by its splashing birds are to be lured. According to ancient convictions, colourful songbirds and their cheerful chirping belonged to the beauty and natural richness of a garden.


The interiors of the 'Villa Romana' are grouped around two atriums, which are open upwards and also serve as pleasant places to stay during the sultry summer months. Breakfast is served in the blue atrium, while massages and relaxing treatments are offered in the red atrium at ideal temperature conditions. 


Both rooms are particularly popular with guests, not only because of their central location and access to the peristyle (courtyard with garden) and the upper terrace, but also as protected and at the same time open places that make the sun and rain in the house tangible.


Thanks to the thick walls and vaulted ceilings, the four spacious guest suites remain pleasantly cool even in summer and store the warmth in winter. If this is not enough, a modern air conditioning system is available in the warmer months and underfloor heating in the cooler months, as was already customary in antiquity. And nobody has to do without the achievements of the 21st century: all apartments are equipped with internet (Wifi), TV, iron and hairdryer.


The rooms are divided into an open living and sleeping area for two persons (additional bed available on request for an extra charge). Three of the suites also have their own kitchenette with glass ceramic hob, minibar, microwave, toaster, coffee machine and dishes for self-catering. The fourth suite with Roman-style interior design is primarily aimed at guests who attach particular importance to a romantic atmosphere and authenticity.


This includes a visit to the Roman garden restaurant, which prepares historically correct dishes according to traditional original recipes by Apicius, Martial or Virgil. Dining is traditionally served in the Biclinium (for two) or Triclinium (up to 9 guests). Tables are also available for less experimental guests. In the evening, under the sound of quiet music, Roman oil lamps are lit, whose light not only spreads the appropriate flair but also keeps mosquitoes away.


The kitchen itself was designed strictly according to Roman specifications around a specially built brick oven and grill, so that the best dishes of Roman imperial cuisine can be cooked as faithfully as possible to the recipe. Research is carried out here all year round for a real historical palate experience, which underlines the special Mediterranean character and promises a different taste. Seasoned with herbs, pepper, caraway, saffron, mustard woman, bay leaf, laserpicium, honey or garum (a Roman spice sauce based on anchovies). Specialities include roasts, spelt and rye bread, sauces and vegetarian dishes. 


A tasting menu contains 7 to 8 dishes, which are served aisle by aisle, just as it was usual at a real Roman banquet. Each course must be specially prepared, therefore a reservation is required. Allergiker or guests with incompatibilities can also indicate, if certain ingredients are problematic. Different alternatives are available for each court.


The garden triclinium is ideal for several couples or groups of friends from four to nine persons. The 'table company' also dines here lying down, with the heads of the participants directed towards the middle, where there is a low basin with water. Small rafts drift on it with the food, which can be pulled or pushed further as desired. In the spirit of Epicurus, who demanded that food and drink must be divided into society if one does not want to lead the life of a wolf.


A Roman villa would be incomplete without the private spa, whose visit was part of the everyday life of wealthy Romans. Therefore, the thermal baths in the'Villa Romana' were built exactly as they were typical for the household of a noble Roman of that time. From the Apodyterium (changing room) and the Caldarium to the Tepidarium, Frigidarium and water basin, the complex contains all the components that made Roman bathing culture a model for modern wellness temples. Marble columns and mosaic floors give the bathing by candlelight an extra exclusive touch. 


Let yourself be spoiled with a kyrenic massage in the water (with costs) or impress your partner (or your partner), family or friends with a visit to the Roman spa, which you can reserve exclusively for you and your company (up to 6 persons). The use of the private spa is not included in the accommodation price and costs 12,- € per person and hour for guests of the 'Villa Romana'. 


If you've always wanted to live like a real Roman, come to the province of Lusitana (now'Extremadura') in Spain and spend glamorous days in the west of the Roman Empire! Guests who appear to be dressed up in Roman style receive a discount of up to 50% on hotel services. This is certainly not the only reason to travel back in time to Roman antiquity!


Learn more on provider's website 
and book your unique stay here


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