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Taras was conquered by the Romans in the III century B.C. and became a municipium, i.e. a community tied to Rome, in the 1st century B.C. This naturally led to changes throughout its territory. In Saturo, the Greek sanctuaries and settlements in the surrounding area ceased to exist by the III century B.C. Between the I century B.C. and the I century A.D., the promontory of Saturo was occupied by a large villa that was supposed to be the centre of a large estate. The surveys were conducted in the sector overlooking the bay of Saturo to the NW, which includes a vast thermal complex, and the one overlooking the inlet of Porto Perone to the SE, occupied by production area, houses and baths. The two sectors are connected by a portico, measuring more than 200 meters in length, which overlooks the sea.
The villa was renovated several times and abandoned between the end of the VI and the beginning of the VII century A.D.
In the area known as the Acropolis, there is a necropolis with simple pit or tiled roof tombs (cappuccina) dating back to between the II and III centuries B.C. and probably relating to the serfs of the villa. On the hill there is a cistern used to supply water for the residences.
The coast to the SE of Taranto features other settlements from the Roman era: the villa of Gandoli and the sumptuous villa of Luogovivo overlooking the respective bays, and the fish processing facilities on the coastlines of Pulsano (in Lido Silvana) and Lizzano (in Torre Ovo).
Indirizzo: Viale Saturo, 74020 Leporano TA
Telefono: 340 9247013
Email: parcosaturo@libero.it
