The Hospitalia (guesthouse) was a two-storey building. It contained ten T-shaped bedrooms (cubiculae) on the first floor, on each side of a long and wide central hallway, at the southern end of which was a hall. Nothing survives of the second floor, which presumably mirrored the layout of the first. Each cubiculum had three alcoves for three beds and was decorated with mosaics made up of a central floral section surrounded by geometric patterns (where the beds stood). The structure dated to the first phase of the villa’s construction (118-125 AD) and was most likely designed to accommodate the Praetorian Guard or the upper-class servants (liberti, priests, bodyguards, officers).
3 thoughts on “Art and sculptures from Hadrian’s Villa: Black-and-white mosaics with geometric and floral motifs”
Wonderful photography Carole. ! How much of the floors are in tact ? they certainly look spectacular. Thanks for sharing. Also that’s for all those Rts. Much appreciated.
Thank you so much for these photos and blog. They are stunning and they are specially welcome because I’m going through a black and white ‘phase’ at the moment.
Wonderful photography Carole. ! How much of the floors are in tact ? they certainly look spectacular. Thanks for sharing. Also that’s for all those Rts. Much appreciated.
Thank you so much for these photos and blog. They are stunning and they are specially welcome because I’m going through a black and white ‘phase’ at the moment.
I want to make all of these into knitting patterns right now!!