La Villa Romana in Tossa de mar

About this place

Hunt down traces of historic Roman life in modern-day Tossa at this ruin that was discovered in 1914. It dates back to the ancient province of Tarraco (1st century BC - 6th AD) when country homes with picturesque views were built for the wealthy class. This particular complex is divided into two sections: the pars urbana where the owner and his family lived on the upper level and features luxuries like thermal baths, a winter dining room (where the rich would recline on pillows while feasting and being served by slaves...what a life), mosaics, stuccoes and a pool. Some even had heated floors and a plumbing system… Imagine that 2000 years ago! Then there is the other section known as the villa fructaria where products from the farm like wine, olive oil, grains, and salted meats were stored and ready for transport to buyers. The entrance doesn’t look like much but as you start to climb the stairs, you’ll get a taste of what Tossa was before it was Tossa: the ahead-of-its-time Roman town of Els Ametllers.

Top Tip

For any culture vulture looking for more, head to the Municipal Museum to see things collected from the site: daggers (the romans second weapon of choice, the first being a sword or spear), fibulae (brooches that were used not only as decoration but to fasten their clothes on… the great grandpa of safety pins), and roman coins and ceramics.