The Villa of Veranes

Latitude: 43.4857979 Length: -5.7537889
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This Roman villa covers one hectare in the area known as Venta de Veranes, nestled on a hillside, about 150 meters above sea level. Its construction follows the canons of the period , as can be read on one of the information panels: "The house should be situated in a higher and drier location than the surrounding area to avoid cracks in the foundations and to enjoy good views (...) Furthermore, the building can be surrounded by gardens, orchards, or meadows." These recommendations were followed to the letter in Veranes, as the panoramic views are splendid and the ability to survey the surrounding territory at a glance is exceptional. This is another of the attractions of our visit, a unique location that helps us understand Roman philosophy. The young emperor of this estate lived off agriculture and livestock , and his villa overlooked a beautiful sunny hill, which even allowed him to cultivate vineyards, very rare at these latitudes. Those responsible for the landscape treatment of the site clearly illustrate its former agricultural use, with the planting of vineyards and other species that represent the crops of those times.

The villa is located very close to the ancient Roman road that, coming from León and Astorga, led through the heart of the region to Gijón. Veranes' location , on the outskirts of the city ( 12 kilometers from Gijón ), reflects the requirements of the period we have mentioned: quiet, sunny places, enlivened by the beauty of the surroundings and with an abundance of water. Although Romanization in Asturias was slow compared to other parts of Spain, in Gijón the Roman presence is increasingly well-documented and better dated, with valuable sites such as the Campo Valdés baths and the rich archaeological site of Campa Torres. Specifically, this estate (belonging to a notable landowner who was likely named Veranius) was built on top of an early settlement of great importance from the High Imperial period . Throughout the 4th century AD, it underwent various renovations and expansions. Currently, its state of preservation is among the best in Northern Spain . The site features a swimming pool, mosaics, four-meter-high walls, heated rooms, and an extensive medieval necropolis belonging to the ruins of a Visigothic church. These medieval ruins were the only known remains in the area before excavations began in the 1980s. After several decades of work, it can now be confirmed that Veranes is the only villa excavated in depth in the entire Cantabrian region.

What do we find in the village of Veranes?

The archaeological site features an interpretation center with an audiovisual room and a permanent exhibition of ceramic fragments and tools recovered from the excavations. This unusual, newly constructed building serves as the visitor center. It is notable for its understated yet striking walls: made of stone and wire mesh, which blend seamlessly into this beautiful promontory. The visit to the archaeological remains themselves is via a path that, starting from this building, offers various vantage points. The main entrance to the ancient villa is on the west side and leads to the north courtyard. To the left of this courtyard is the service area (granary, kitchen, and oven), and to the right, the entrance to the rest of the rooms. A long covered gallery, or loggia, led to the reception areas used for social and political life. To the south are a living room or exedra, a large dining room or triclinium ending in an apse, and the baths or thermal baths. Some rooms retain sections of their original flooring. The most striking feature is the reception room (oecus) . This is the dominant space of the complex, covered by a magnificent polychrome mosaic of approximately 50 square meters, of which about 40 percent remains. Among other Late Roman decorative elements, this magnificent floor displays tesserae with Solomon's knot: two rings intertwined four times, symbolizing strength and protection. This central space of Veranes has a modern, cubic roof that evokes the room's original volume. Here, the lord of Veranes received clients and public or private embassies, exercising his power over people and lands at a level almost equivalent to that of the emperor himself.

The walk through the ruins It allows us to know what daily life was like at that time, what its tenants ate, how they got food, what kind of livestock they had, what they spent their free time on, how they exercised their power ...
Our tour is completed with a video guide for individual use, available at the museum reception, which recreates the walls and the original dependencies of the villa and provides a more complete view of the village of Veranes.

Villa de Veranes opening hours

Winter time:
· From September 16 to June 15. Tuesday to Sunday and holidays.
· From 10 to 15 hours.

Summer schedule:
· From June 16 to September 15. Tuesday to Sunday and holidays.
· From 10:30 to 19 hours.

Easter Hours:
· From Tuesday to Sunday.
· From 10 to 17 hours.

Source: Villa de Veranes Interpretation Center.