Roman Ruins of Milreu

The Roman ruins of Milreu are the remains of an important Roman villa rustica located in the civil parish of Estói in the municipality of Faro, Portugal [1]. The Milreu ruins constitute the most prominent and well preserved evidence of Roman presence in the Algarve [1]. They are mainly composed of the remnants of a once luxurious villa with annexed thermae and several surrounding buildings, including a temple [1]. The archaeological site still preserves part of the once exuberant mosaics (mostly maritime motifs) that decorated the floor and walls of the villa [1]. Comparable to a large number of rustic villas in Italy and Spain, Milreu distinguished itself as a luxury complex due to its extensive and pompous mosaic decorations, ancient imperial busts, a temple devoted to a water deity [1]. The house was reorganized at the end of the 3rd century around a large central peristyle so that columns surrounded an open courtyard with garden and thermae [1]. The 4th century entrance of the villa was monumental [1].