The entrace has a bit of mural left on the wall, the feet and robes of men with borders of military insignia remaining. From this, I expected nothing but ruins. Had I read the information in the guide book, I would have been better prepared. Likely it is so well-preserved because of its relatively remote location.
From the south entrance, you come into a large, irregularly shaped courtyard which provides access to different aspects of the villa: north to the thermal complex, west to the latrine, east to the quadrangular peristyle. This is as large columned portico arround which are the central rooms of the villa. As you walk along the wings, various rooms of the villa can be viewed. At the east end, three large stairways lead to the corridor to the "great hunt" and the basilica.
My favorite space, the peristyle, provided quick access to different areas of the villa. A central element in Roman villa architecture, the peristyle was used for the walking ritual, dreambulatio, as well as entertaining guests and hosting philosophical conversations. Randy said the central courtyard would have been full of plants. The floors of the corridors are decorated with animal motif mosaics
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