Culture and Heritage

Orbe roman mosaics

Orbe roman mosaics
Orbe roman mosaics. © OTV
  • Place
    • Orbe

    Ort
  • Recommended Duration
    • 45 Minutes
    Dauer

In 170 A.D., there was an imposing Roman villa on this site in Orbe. The mosaic floors that were in 9 of the about 100 rooms of this prestigious dwelling are now protected by four pavilions open to visitors from Easter to the end of October. Get more out of your visit with a tablet or ask for a guide.

Discovered in the mid-19th century north of the town of Orbe in the Yverdon-les-Bains region, the mosaics used to adorn the most important rooms in the villa. Made of naturally coloured stones, they depict gods, trompe l’œil geometric shapes or figurative scenes of Greek mythology, such as the famous labyrinth of Theseus and the Minotaur.

Although it is still not known who owned the villa, the luxurious decoration of this huge dwelling (230 m by 90-110 m) would suggest that he was very wealthy and enjoyed a luxurious life style.

Between 1986 and 2004, the Boscéaz site was an educational site for archaeology students at Lausanne University. These digs led to the discovery of a 9th mosaic, a mithraeum (place of worship dedicated to the god Mithra) and a spa.

Prices
Prices
  • Individual
    Adult
    • CHF 10.-
  • Adult (group)
    • CHF 8.-
  • Child/Student/Senior
    • CHF 8.-
  • Child/Student/Senior (group)
    • CHF 6.-
  • School group
    • CHF 4.-
  • Family
    • CHF 25.-
  • One-parent family
    • CHF 15.-
  • Guided tour (15 pers./guide)
    Per guide (+ entrance)
    • CHF 115.-
Good to know
Good to know
    • Visits and opening of the site for groups on request, at any time.
    • Prices:
    • CHF 115.00 with guide (+ admissions) outside opening hours
    • CHF 85.00 with guide (+ admissions) during opening hours
    • CHF 55.00 without guide (+ admissions).
    • 15 persons/guide, for classes up to 20 children/guide.
    • For guided tours and groups, please contact the Tourist Office of Orbe.
    • Open on public holidays.
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Contact
Contact
Orbe roman mosaics
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