Roman Villa delle Grotte

The Complex and its Phases

Built entirely in opus reticulatum, the Monumental Complex of Le Grotte occupies two terraces in a dominant position overlooking the Gulf of Portoferraio, facing the Roman site of the Linguella on the opposite side of the harbour. The first excavations on the hill date back to 1960–1972 and were conducted by Giorgio Monaco of the Superintendency for the Antiquities of Etruria. Between 2019 and 2022, the University of Siena resumed archaeological investigations, offering an entirely new interpretation of the monument.

The First Phase (40–30 BC)

In its earliest phase, the complex developed within the turbulent context of the Roman civil wars. Water played a central role in the functioning of the site: a sophisticated hydraulic system — including cisterns, channels, aqueducts, wells and basins — collected rainwater and spring water from the surrounding hills, ensuring a constant supply even during the driest months.

Water flowed towards the plain of San Giovanni to the east and towards the small inlet of Calello to the west, where boats could stop and replenish supplies. Some of these water channels remained in use until the early twentieth century

The Second Phase (Late 1st Century BC – 1st Century AD)

With the end of the civil wars, the complex underwent a profound transformation. Rooms were enclosed, elevated and decorated with mosaic floors and opus sectile pavements. The site became a luxurious maritime residence featuring reception rooms, gardens, fountains and water basins with elaborate hydraulic games.

Among the most evocative spaces is the large colonnaded portico with a central pool, inside which stood an apsidal structure — possibly a nymphaeum-triclinium, a banquet hall immersed in water and overlooking both the garden and the sea. The walls were frescoed with painted garden scenes.

The decorative motifs discovered on site, closely connected to Augustan iconography, suggest an environment of exceptionally high social status. During the first decades of the 1st century AD, the complex was further enriched with a thermal bath area.

Abandonment and Later Phases

At the end of the 1st century AD, the complex was abandoned, probably intentionally. In the centuries that followed, the site suffered damage caused by agricultural activity and, above all, military use.

Between 1799 and 1802, during the clashes between the French and the British for control of the island, many perimeter walls were demolished in order to install an artillery battery. Despite these transformations and centuries of neglect, the remains of the Le Grotte complex still rise majestically above the Gulf of Portoferraio, continuing to tell their extraordinary story.

Today

Today, the Le Grotte complex is a vibrant cultural site animated throughout the year by cultural events, guided tours with archaeologists, educational workshops for schools and experiential itineraries across the Gulf of Portoferraio.

The site has also been at the centre of the DREAMLAND research project (Discovering Roman Elba And Maritime Landscape), promoted by the University of Siena in collaboration with the Fondazione Villa Romana delle Grotte and the Superintendency, combining scientific research with heritage enhancement.

To make the visit even more immersive, visitors can download the free “Le Grotte” app: a multilingual audio guide featuring 3D reconstructions and augmented reality experiences. By scanning the QR codes positioned along the route, visitors can see how the complex appeared two thousand years ago.