Roman heritage in Medulin

Medulin 

Pomer, where the Villa Rustica is, it is located just two kilometers from Medulin and  only seven kilometers from Pula. Medulin is located on the southeast side of the Istrian peninsula. This position has always been advantageous so this area has been inhabited since prehistoric times. That shows the remains of the village built on a hill and surrounded by concentric circles. Neolithic findings can be found on Vizula and Vrcevan, and from the Bronze and Iron Age on cape of Punta Kasteja and Vrcevan.

The Roman period is the first ‘tourism’ period, before tourism was in this region. Therefore, the entire area of the southern region of Istria became the largest Roman residential complex. Medulin, who was then an important fishing village, has been recognized for its natural beauty, and the Romans started to build their summer homes here, of which the most luxurious built in 4.st.ne for the exiled son of the Emperor Constantine, and was located on a peninsula Vizula.

Photo source:  www.arcus.hr

Vizula

Vizula is a peninsula in Medulin Bay, which is assumed to be in the Middle Ages and during the Venetian rule was an island, separated from the coast with built canal. Then he called Isola del Vescovo - Bishop Island. On the western side of the peninsula is villa built in several terraces (according to the rules of the Roman construction) that is totally oriented on sea. It was created in the period from 1 st (the time of Emperor Augustus) to the 4th century (Emperor Constantine), and there are indications that the property was in the function at the time of the Byzantine Empire. On the southeast side was a port with storage areas for domestic grain and oil, imported wine in ceramic amphorae and glass bottles, then houses for traders, servants and slaves. The size of the complex is 2000 m2. Unfortunately, due to the annual movement of the coastline (2 mm per year) about a third of the villa is now under the sea.

 

Photo source: www.medulinriviera.info

Various kinds of marble, more precisely 12 of them, who served for decorating the magnificent mansion and gold jewelery of their residents indicate the wealth of spirit and property. In the older part of the villa were discovered in black and white mosaics with geometric motifs and borders like a carpet on the the seafront promenade. Multicolored mosaic which dating from some "newer" phase was found later, and is located in the thermal part of the villa. Water was always a source of life, but no one like Romans cherished the cult of water. They were surrounded by it in the bath (thermals), pools and fountains. Water is enforced with perfect technique and heated with the most complex system on the wood-fired oven. In this thermal area it was discovered the perfect system for heating water and air, which began with a wooden stove, and then the heat is conducted through the ceramic channels and drains lead to the floors and walls of the villa and the thermals. We can say that the Romans already knew underfloor heating. Except marble and heating system, there was found built tombs with lead sarcophagus, sets glass containers, agricultural tools, coins of the Roman emperors, and jewelry (gold earrings, hairpins of bone, silver rings, enamel ornaments, beads of jade).

Photo source:  www.medulinrivirea.info

There is a legend about villa according to which in 326. Constantine had imprisoned, tried to judge in Pula and later to kill his son from his first marriage Crispus (299-326), the winning captain and his co-rulers. Crispus, after his stepmother Fausta accused him for rape and intent to overthrow his father from throne, took refuge on Vizula before the execution. However, he was sentenced to Pula local court and was killed in the imperial villa. On this story is based and antique show "Crispo," which takes place every year on several occasions during the summer months on the villa location.

 

Photo source:  http://www.istra.hr

Rich aristocrats and members of the imperial family enjoyed the Medulin Riviera at sunset, sitting in a luxury triclinium, walking on peristyle along the shore and watching the liveliness of nature, seagulls, traders and sailors on the boat. Nights were spent with the sounds of musical instruments, songs, laughter and bawdy behavior and philosophical thought to feel the breath of the past. Visit the remains of a rich Roman heritage and see for yourself in the beauty of its cultural and natural heritage!