Santa Colomba de Somoza (Leon)

Published: 2026-10-01

Last modified: 2026-10-01

Place Description

The villa is 300 meters east-northeast of the eastern tip of Laguna Cernea, north of the modern village Santa Colomba de Somoza. The Laguna Cernea is an artificial pond created by the Romans for washing gold, now frequently dry. It was presumably the residence of the official in charge of the gold extraction. Its early, first century date underlines the importance of gold as a reason for determination of Augustus to subdue the region at great cost.

Places

Tarraconensis (Pleiades:981551)
Tarraconensis (province) (TGN:6005831)

1 garden article in Santa Colomba de Somoza (Leon) has been published:

Built under Tiberius, this site is a rare if not unique example of a first century Iberian villa for which we have a complete plan. Excavation began in the 1930s. Of modest ...