Telašćica Nature Park Roman villa rustica

The ruins of a Roman building can be found near the Mala Proversa channel. In 1951, the foundations of a large building were excavated on the cape side of the island of Dugi Otok. The Mala Proversa channel was not navigable in the Roman period, as at that time it still was a narrow isthmus 1 metre above sea level. The Romans built a complex of buildings here that was probably over 90 metres long. It was large and had the comforts that were usually only found in residences in larger cities (e.g. a bathroom with hot and cold water).

The villa was built in the 1st century, in the best period of Roman architecture in Dalmatia. It is assumed that the Romans at that time, when Dugi Otok, Katina and Kornat were still one island, dug a channel (through the grounds of the villa) which resulted in a stronger circulation of the sea in both directions and attracted fish. Smaller vessels were able to pass through the channel. It is believed that in the vicinity of the channel was a vivarium (an enclosure in the sea for keeping live fish).

At the end of the 1980s, the Mala Proversa channel was widened and deepened so that today it is 34 metres wide, 4.80 metres deep and over 100 metres long.

Source: www.telascica.hr

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