Roman villa in Valbandon

Step into the world of a maritime villa and immerse yourself in the serene countryside ambiance once relished by the distinguished citizens of ancient Rome...

At the exhibition With a view of the sea: Roman villa in Valbandon, you’ll discover spectacular artifacts unearthed just two years ago near the Valbandon harbour, close to Fažana. This site, home to a luxurious maritime villa, dates back to the 1st century BC and spans through to the 5th century AD.

Of particular interest are the architectural elements and stone decorative sculptures that once adorned the villa's garden, as well as the discovery of ancient plant seeds preserved in Roman underwater layers.

One of the stone monuments on display features relief carvings depicting symbols of the Roman gods Jupiter and Ceres. This 1st-century artifact is the square base of a double herm. On one side, a bundle of five lightning bolts is shown, tied together by the winged head of Victoria, the goddess of victory—emblems of Jupiter, the supreme deity of Roman religion.

On the opposite side, a bundle of three ears of wheat and poppy heads is tied with a knotted ribbon. These symbols, along with other fruits of the autumn harvest, represent the goddess Ceres, revered as the protector of fertility, marriage, and the plebeians—the common people. This herm likely served as a decorative sculpture within the villa's gardens and was probably part of the enclosing wall, as indicated by the fitting grooves along its sides.

The exhibition showcases bilingual panels in both Croatian and English, complemented by visualizations of conceptual reconstructions of various sections of the luxurious maritime villa.

The exhibition’s curators are Aleksandra Mahić Sinovčić and Ida Koncani Uhač.

Sveta Srca is open daily from 9 AM to 9 PM, with free admission for all visitors.
The exhibition space is fully accessible, featuring elevators and ramps for individuals with disabilities, ensuring easy access to all areas.