| The Villa |
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The villa, due to the sloping nature of the site, is built on 4 levels. The Roman Thermae, on the first level, were provided with water by a complex supply system, composed of two aqueducts: before being delivered to the Frigidarium and the Calidaria, the water was heated in special ovens. The Massage Hall and Gym are also on this level. On the second level, we find the main entrance composed of 3 arches and a large courtyard, surrounded by Ionic columns. On the third level, the Peristilium, a rectangular courtyard surrounded by Corinthian columns, has a fountain in the middle. On the left side of the Peristilium, there is a group of small rooms, some of which are worthy of mention, the Little Hunt Room (with mosaics depicting hunting scenes), that of the Fishing Cupids and that of the Dancers. On the right side there is, instead, a group of 3 rooms, one of which, known all over the world, has become the symbol of this exceptional monument: the room with girls in bikinis. Along the east side of the Peristilium, we find the grandiose corridor of the Great Hunt, whose mosaics depict scenes of great game hunting: the chase, capture and transport of the beasts towards Rome. The scenes depicting Asia and Africa at the two opposite ends of the room, in two apses, are of extreme value. On the fourth level we find the Triclinium, the family's private rooms, with the marvelous mosaics of Ulysses and Polyphemus and the Cubicle with the famous erotic scene, and the grandiose Basilica. In the Triclinium, the Dominus (Master), dined with special guests. Here are located the mosaics depicting the twelve Toils of Hercules and in the central apse there is the Gigantomachia, in which are shown five giants that strive to pull out of their bodies the arrows shot by Hercules.
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