The Roman Villa in Wittlich was built between 150 and 200 AD and destroyed by the Franks two centuries later. It was one of the largest estates of the region, some 140 meters wide. The heart of the villa was the central building, with luxurious living quarters decorated with wall paintings, reception halls and several utility rooms including a kitchen. Gardens and two wings connected on each side via columned passage ways.

The villa was first excavated in the early 1900s and again in the 1940s. In the 1970s, further excavations were conducted in anticipation of the imminent construction of a major highway viaduct that would from then on bury the southern wing of the villa under its foundations. Attempts at reconstructing the villa (as in the image above) necessarily relies on findings from earlier excavations. In the early 1980s the central wing was again excavated by the Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier, followed by the construction of a protective roof that is still in place. Within this structure, the remains of the central part of the manor house are still preserved today.

The northern wing included an octagonal pavilion, which served as a bathing facility. The southern wing contained storage rooms, stables, and possibly also additional quarters for servants and guests.

The villa is located on the banks of the river Lieser. Across to the river traces of outbuildings have been found, pointing at extensive cultivated areas serving the villa’s inhabitants.