Discover Villa dei Quintili

Situated at the fifth mile of the Via Appia Antica, the Villa dei Quintili is the largest residential complex of the suburbium of Rome, and forms part of the Parco Archeologico dell'Appia Antica.

Its owners are known because of the plumbing. Turismo Roma records that thanks to the discovery of a lead pipe bearing the name of the owners, it is certain that the complex belonged to the brothers Sextus Quintilius Condianus and Sextus Quintilius Valerius Maximus, members of a senatorial family and consuls in 151 AD.

Then an emperor took it from them. In 182-183 AD the Quintili were put to death on the orders of the emperor Commodus for having plotted a conspiracy against him, so the residence on the Appia was confiscated and became imperial property.

And he moved in. From then on Commodus himself and other emperors after him lived in the villa. Evidence of their presence is visible in the imposing architecture, the richness of the sculptural decorations and the refinement of the wall and floor revetments in slabs of coloured marble, still splendidly preserved.

The entrance was a garden, and became a castle. Originally the Villa was entered from the Appia Antica, through a wide porticoed garden provided with a monumental nymphaeum — later transformed into a fortress in the medieval age.

Beyond it, the house climbs a hill. The main nucleus develops on the hill with a series of courtyards and reception rooms, a large bath complex, buildings for spectacles and rooms of the private residence looking out over the surrounding valley. In the modern farmhouse an Antiquarium holds sculptural and architectural pieces of great value found during the excavations.

It is laid out as an approach, a garden and a hill. Turismo Roma records that originally the Villa was entered from the Appia Antica, through a wide porticoed garden provided with a monumental nymphaeum, and that beyond the garden lies the main nucleus, which develops on the hill with a series of courtyards and reception rooms, a large bath complex, buildings for spectacles and rooms of the private residence looking out over the surrounding valley.

Its decoration is the thing that survived. The presence of the emperors is visible in the imposing architecture, the richness of the sculptural decorations and the refinement of the wall and floor revetments in slabs of coloured marble, still splendidly preserved.

Its most conspicuous structure is a later conversion. The monumental nymphaeum was transformed into a fortress in the medieval age.

And its museum is in a farm building. In the modern casale an Antiquarium is set up, preserving sculptural and architectural pieces of great value found during the excavations.

It was built by two brothers at the top of Roman public life. The complex belonged to Sextus Quintilius Condianus and Sextus Quintilius Valerius Maximus, members of a senatorial family and consuls in 151 AD — and we know it thanks to the discovery of a lead pipe bearing the name of the owners, which makes the attribution certain.

It was built to be the largest of its kind. The city calls it the largest residential complex of the suburbium of Rome.

Its second phase was a confiscation. After the Quintili were put to death in 182-183 AD on the orders of Commodus, the villa became imperial property, and Commodus himself and other emperors after him lived in it — which is why the architecture is imposing and the revetments are what they are.

Its third was defensive. The monumental nymphaeum of the entrance garden was transformed into a fortress in the medieval age.

And its fourth was archaeological. Excavation produced the sculptural and architectural pieces of great value now in the Antiquarium in the modern farmhouse.

What are the opening hours? 9.00–18.30 from 1 to 31 October; 9.00–16.30 from 1 November to 28/29 February; 9.00–18.30 from 1 to 31 March; 9.00–19.15 from 1 April to 30 September. Last entry one hour before closing.

When is it closed? Monday and 25 December.

How much does it cost? No price is published. Turismo Roma gives a ticketing link and no amount.

How do we know whose villa it was? Thanks to the discovery of a lead pipe bearing the name of the owners, which makes it certain the complex belonged to the brothers Sextus Quintilius Condianus and Sextus Quintilius Valerius Maximus, consuls in 151 AD.

What happened to them? In 182-183 AD they were put to death on the orders of the emperor Commodus for having plotted a conspiracy against him, and the residence was confiscated and became imperial property.

Who lived there afterwards? Commodus himself and other emperors after him.

How big is it? It is the largest residential complex of the suburbium of Rome, at the fifth mile of the Via Appia Antica.

What survives best? The wall and floor revetments in slabs of coloured marble, which the city calls still splendidly preserved.

What is the castle at the entrance? The monumental nymphaeum of the original porticoed entrance garden, transformed into a fortress in the medieval age.

What else is on the hill? A series of courtyards and reception rooms, a large bath complex, buildings for spectacles and rooms of the private residence looking out over the surrounding valley.

Is there a museum? Yes — an Antiquarium in the modern farmhouse, with sculptural and architectural pieces of great value found during the excavations.

Is it accessible? The city states it is partially accessible to disabled visitors.

Where is it? Via Appia Antica 251 or Via Appia Nuova 1092 — two entrances on opposite sides.