## 3 The Virtual Reconstructions of the Villas
### Desenzano: Roman Villa  
#### 3.2.1 Presentation of the Site  
Starting from Sirmione and moving along the coast towards the southwest, one reaches the Roman villa of Desenzano. It occupied an area of about one hectare and was bordered to the east by the waters of the lake. The splendid view that would have been enjoyed in ancient times, looking out from the rooms of the villa, is now difficult to perceive as the lake's shore has retreated by 70 m, and the archaeological remains are hidden among the modern dwellings of the city's historic centre.  
Over time, the area of the villa experienced a series of (re)constructions from the end of the 1 st century BC to the middle of the 5 th century AD (Figure 21).  
Figure 21: Plans of the villa in Desenzano (in red, the survey from orthophoto conducted by [PERSON], [PERSON], Elaboration from the plan. Table IV [28]).  
The oldest period (late 1 st century BC) is represented by two buildings: to the south, the so-called sector A, visible below the current Antiquarium, belongs to the _pars urbana_, composed of a group of seven rooms of a bath complex, of which the _suspensurne_ and the floors with black and white mosaics are recognisable. To the north, instead, in sector D, the _pars rustica_ should have been located, of which traces of hearths arranged around an _atrium_ remain. In the mid-1 st century AD, the area was occupied by a house with a marked productive character, as the territory was perfectly suited for the cultivation of vines and olive trees, as well as fishing. A trace of a productive installation is indeed recognisable in a room where a circular imprint, probably left by a wine press, is visible on the floor (30) (Figure 22).  
In the first half of the 2 nd century AD, the villa was renovated, especially in terms of decorative elements. Many rooms were repurposed for residential and reception functions, with direct access to the lake. The terracotta floors were replaced with precious mosaic floors, and the walls were decorated with refined frescoes [31]. The rooms were also enriched with a significant number of statues, some of them life-sized, whose subjects, quite common in domestic contexts, alluded to the grandeur of the _dominus_ and the richness of the place [32].  
The architectural and decorative layout that can be admired in the archaeological area today, however, dates back to the mid-4 th century AD, more precisely between 336 and 348 AD, as evidenced by some coins found during the archaeological excavations [33].  
The villa was organised into pavilions connected by internal paths. The so-called sector A mainly served the function of receiving guests, as well as being the residence of the owner. Sector B was entirely dedicated to residential functions, while Sector C was occupied by a large bath complex with direct access to the lake [34].  
The villa retained its function as a great _otium_ residence until the mid-5 th century AD when it was abandoned following a fire. The last interventions before abandonment concerned the insertion, in sector B, of a large apsidal hall, almost 10 m in diameter, with a magnificent _opus sectile_ floor in black, pink, and white diamonds that formed a perspective cube pattern. The villa also became enriched with objects with clear Christian references, including a cup with a Christological scene and lamps with the Chi-Rho symbol [34].