Imagine yourself transported back in time. It is a time when Roman villas dotted this very landscape. Today we stand at the Römischer Gutshof Zazenhausen. It was once a lavishly equipped estate.
This Römischer Gutshof Zazenhausen, or “villa rustica,” once boasted at least eight residential and commercial buildings. A bath was also included. The estate stretched across the Gewanne “Jungweingart,” “Steinigen,” and “Bisach.” It occupied a flat ridge here.
Let’s delve into what made this Römischer Gutshof Zazenhausen so remarkable. In 1757, a discovery revealed much about the structure. The walls of one building stood nearly ten feet high. This building comprised five rooms. Two rooms featured underfloor heating called a hypocaustum. Imagine the warmth underfoot during the colder months. A large metal kettle stood on twelve small pillars in one room. A wide tin channel led through the wall. Even a door frame with hinges remained well-preserved.
These details paint a vivid picture of Roman life in Zazenhausen. The residents enjoyed comforts we often associate with modern living.
Many artifacts have been unearthed over the years. These include various pictorial and inscription stones. One notable find was a round stone depicting the gods of the week. You can view it today in Stuttgart’s Roman Lapidarium.
Among the finds was a bronze statue. It depicted a standing Heracles. He held a club in his right hand. He also held the apples of the Hesperides in his left. This statue hints at the artistic tastes of the villa’s inhabitants.
The Römischer Gutshof Zazenhausen’s construction speaks volumes. Where the barn now stands was once the large residential house. It had walls up to 3.5 meters high. These walls were adorned with animal and plant depictions. Marble slabs and stone-carved reliefs further embellished the house. A masonry water pipe ran beneath the residence.
About forty meters south of the main house lay the bathhouse. It featured underfloor heating. It also had several semicircular basins. The seating was an impressive twelve meters long.
Roman law dictated the division of conquered land. One-third went to the state or the city of Rome. Another third went to the priests. The remaining third was reserved for veteran soldiers. This system ensured the reward and settlement of those who served the empire.
Though much time has passed, the Römischer Gutshof Zazenhausen continues to fascinate. The finds here offer a glimpse into Roman daily life. They illustrate the sophistication and comfort enjoyed by the people of this villa rustica. The echoes of the past resonate here. They remind us of the enduring legacy of Roman civilization.