Villa romaine de Vallon
Origin of the name Villa romaine de Vallon
The villa takes its name from the village of Vallon, on whose land it was found, at the place called Sur Dompierre.[4]
Founding of Villa romaine de Vallon
The villa was a Gallo-Roman estate a few kilometres from Avenches, ancient Aventicum, capital of Roman Helvetia. A first, modest building goes up at the start of the 1st century, and two more are added around the middle of the century. In the 2nd century the main building is entirely rebuilt and receives the mosaic of Bacchus and Ariadne, and baths and the venatio hall follow. At its height the house has more than forty rooms in three wings, with a colonnaded portico, a granary, a garden and a lararium.[1][3][4]
History of Villa romaine de Vallon
Early 1st century. A first, modest Roman building is put up.[4]
Mid-1st century. Two buildings are added to the first.[4]
Second half of the 2nd century. The rebuilt main building receives the mosaic of Bacchus and Ariadne.[1][4]
Early 3rd century. The great venatio hall is paved with its mosaic.[1]
Late 3rd century. A fire destroys part of the villa.[1][4]
5th century. The villa is now only partly occupied, in connection with a mausoleum on the nearby molasse spur, and is then gradually abandoned.[1][4]
1985. On 30 May, around 11.30 am, two excavators find the first mosaic, about two metres below land intended for a housing estate.[2][3]
1986. The site is declared of national importance.[4]
1989. The second mosaic, that of Bacchus and Ariadne, is uncovered.[2][4]
1990. The venatio mosaic is fully uncovered.[4]
2000. Federal Councillor Joseph Deiss opens the Roman Museum, built over the villa to show the mosaics in place, after eleven excavation campaigns.[1][3]
Historic sites in Villa romaine de Vallon
Roman Museum of Vallon. The museum follows the villa's L-shaped plan and covers 3'500 m². Its wooden-slatted facades recall the tobacco sheds of the Broye. Two climate-controlled rooms hold the mosaics: the larger can be entered, the smaller is seen through a large window. Restored frescoes, finds and a model of the villa at its height are also on show.[2][3][4]
Remains in Villa romaine de Vallon
Venatio mosaic. Laid in the early 3rd century, it covers 97 m². Its honeycomb field, framed by plant motifs, holds ten medallions: gladiators, a stag attacked by a dog, a bear, a bull and a tamer leading a lion towards a hind.[1][3][4]
Mosaic of Bacchus and Ariadne. Smaller, at 26 m², it dates from the second half of the 2nd century. Three central medallions show two cupids and a satyr uncovering Ariadne, hexagonal medallions theatre masks and women's faces, and the apse two panthers flanking a krater.[1][3][4]
Lararium and wall paintings. The lararium, the household shrine, held bronze statuettes. The excavations yielded fifteen bronze statuettes and some 45'000 fragments of painted plaster.[1][3]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Vallon » (Marianne Rolle, version du 27.12.2014)
- Musée romain de Vallon, « Du site au musée »
- Olivier Pauchard, « La mosaïque de Vallon a enfin un toit », swissinfo.ch, 28 octobre 2000
- Sylvain Gailloud, Archeoplus, « Vallon (FR) »
Other villages near Villa romaine de Vallon
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