Roman Mosaics and Villa Urbana from the II-III centuries in Risn

The accelerated Romanization of Risinium began after the conquest of Illyricum under King Ghentius in 167 AD. Risinium became a typical Roman city surrounded by ramparts, with the city center - the forum on

Ancient cemeteries - necropolises were located outside the ramparts, and the residential district with villas of rich Risan landowners and merchants was on the south side of the city. The remains of the eastern part of one of the Roman city villas were found at the beginning of the 20th century. From 1956-1962, a complete restoration and conservation of the mosaic carpets in the four rooms of the villa and the first protective canopy was carried out. Another mosaic floor was discovered during 1972-1972. which was conserved and covered, partial restoration and conservation of all the walls of the villa around the central courtyard - atrium was also carried out then.

Roman mosaics decorate the floors in four of the five rooms of the eastern part of the villa, and two rooms in the western part, only traces of mosaic floors exist in the other rooms. They were made in the technique of larger cubes of domestic gray and black stone with motifs of "labris" - Cretan double battle axes.

In the eastern part of the villa, a mosaic was made with stylized plant motifs of stone cubes of various sizes and colors (red, yellow, green, blue, black, white), in the middle is a circular medallion depicting the Greek god of sleep, Hypnos, in the form of a winged boy resting on the headboard. It is assumed that this room was the bedroom of the owner of the villa or dormitory as it was called. Geometric ornaments in the form of a checkerboard decorate the mosaic floor of the room to the south, and further on there are two rooms whose mosaic floor is also decorated with geometric ornaments and stylized marine fauna motifs (cuttlefish, squid). It is assumed that one of the corner spaces without mosaic decorations was a dining room (triclinium) with typical Roman beds (cunei, clinei).

Visiting the mosaics

Where. The villa urbana sits in Risan, on the inner Bay of Kotor, about 17 km from Kotor and only 8 km from Perast. The site is signposted in the town and lies a short walk from the waterfront road.

What you see. The floors are sheltered under a modern roof and viewed from walkways above, so the visit is short — half an hour is usually enough. The Hypnos panel is the reason to come: the god of sleep reclining, the only depiction of him known in this form in the region.

Opening. Hours are seasonal and the site keeps shorter days outside summer, so check before making a special trip, particularly between November and April.

Combining it. Risan pairs naturally with Perast and Our Lady of the Rocks, which are minutes away along the bay, and the drive continues to Kotor. Together they make a straightforward half-day out of Kotor or Herceg Novi without needing a boat.