Index:
VILLA VATIA
Between the II and the I century B.C., on the shores of the lake Fusaro, the Romans built many villas and thermal plants; the most famous was the one of the Roman Consul Servilio Vatia. The Romans, who envied the peace he looked for and found along these enchanting shores, were always repeating the same sentence: “O Vatia tu solus scis vivere”.
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The tuffaceous bench on which it was built Villa Vatia |
Built on the top of a big tuffaceous bench and in a strategic position, S. Vatia's maritime villa followed the outline of the hill as far as the sea, where there were fish ponds.
The few ruins of Villa Vatia |
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So the consul, just like his other contemporaries (A. Ortensio Ortalo) could, away from the chaos of the Roman city, dedicate himself to tranquillity and "pisciculture". It dates back to that period the channel which, cutting the promontory, unifies the lake and the sea.
Archaeologically, the most interesting aspect is represented by the ruins of Servilio Vatia's ancient villa, called Isaurico because of the overwhelming victory carried off in 79 B.C. over the Isauri.
The wonderful villa of this clever man was built and furnished with refinement, but at the same time it was, thanks to the strategic position over the sea, a real self-sufficient fortress.
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Detail of the archaeological ruins of Villa Vatia |
Unfortunately today there are only few ruins of it, as the pozzolana mines and the bunkers drawn, during the last world conflict, in the tuffaceous soil, altered remarkably its consistency.
In that place they were found beautiful statues of emperors and famous personages.
Gianni PICONE "Da Posillipo a Cuma"
The ruins of Servilio Vatia's Villa are in a private property.
Enter the Tangenziale of Naples direction Pozzuoli. Exit n. 14 Pozzuoli - Arco Felice. Follow indications for Napoli-Pozzuoli, Baia and Bacoli covering first via Licola-Patria, then via Miliscola (going along the shores of the lake Lucrino). Continue for via Montegrillo (Commune of Bacoli) as far as the crossroad from which turn right and go on for via Baia-Fusaro which skirts the entrance of the Archaeological Park (Roman Thermae). Going on, cover the provincial road Fusaro which skirts the Columbarium as far as the last crossroad where there is the entrance of the Fusaro Park and of the Casina Vanvitelliana. Outside not guarded parking area on the right, few metres after the entrance of the Park.
from Naples (downtown - main station of piazza Garibaldi)
Direction Porto - Piazza Municipio. Continue for Mergellina and Fuorigrotta. Here it is possible to enter the Tangenziale direction Pozzuoli, or to go on for via Domiziana as far as passing the centre of Pozzuoli (direction Roma - via Domiziana). Follow indications for Baia and Bacoli covering first via Licola-Patria, then via Miliscola (going along the shores of the lake Lucrino). Continue for via Montegrillo (Commune of Bacoli) as far as the crossroad from which turn right and go on for via Baia-Fusaro which skirts the entrance of the Archaeological Park (Roman Thermae). Going on, cover the provincial road Fusaro which skirts the Columbarium as far as the last crossroad where there is the entrance of the Fusaro Park and of the Casina Vanvitelliana. Outside not guarded parking area on the right, few metres after the entrance of the Park.
from Rome to Naples - via Domiziana
Continue for Baia Domizia, Mondragone, Castel Volturno. Then cover the freeway SS. n° 7 Quater which takes on the Tangenziale of Naples (Exit Pozzuoli - Arco Felice), or cover via Domiziana (SS. n° 7 Quater). Follow indications for Napoli, Pozzuoli, Baia and Bacoli covering first via Licola-Patria, then via Miliscola (going along the shores of the lake Lucrino). Continue for via Montegrillo (Commune of Bacoli) as far as the crossroad from which turn right and go on for via Baia-Fusaro which skirts the entrance of the Archaeological Park (Roman Thermae). Going on, cover the provincial road Fusaro which skirts the Columbarium as far as the last crossroad where there is the entrance of the Fusaro Park and of the Casina Vanvitelliana. Outside not guarded parking area on the right, few metres after the entrance of the Park.
Railway:
from Naples (main station of piazza Garibaldi)
Underground direction Pozzuoli. Napoli-Montesanto stop. Reach (about 100 metres) the station of the Ferrovia Cumana. Napoli-Torregaveta line. Baia stop. Go on by bus for Torregaveta, Fusaro stop. Distance from Baia to the entrance of the Fusaro Park and the Casina Reale: about 1 Km.
Estimated time: about 70'
from Naples (main station of piazza Garibaldi)
SEPSA Bus Lines. Napoli-Torregaveta route, Fusaro line. Fusaro stop.
Estimated time: about 60'