"Unfortunately, little of the area remains, but the perimeter walls, some interior walls, and the remains of a couple of columns are visible. All these parts show some changes over the centuries, from Roman Villa to Basilica and finally to Small Country Church before it disappeared, only to be rediscovered in its ruins centuries later. There is also a small museum with a few artifacts inside, some of which are not in good condition, but both the external explanations along the route and inside the museum are very detailed."

FRANCESCO COZZI

"This interesting archaeological site is located between the ancient Via Flaminia (SS 16 Adriatica) and Monte San Bartolo, which led to the port of Vallugola, known since the time of the Greeks and Romans. Casteldimezzo and Fiorenzuola di Focara, located on the mountainside, were also accessible. On the other side of the SS road, Gradara Castle stands on a cliff. Excavations have uncovered a settlement that had already been identified in the 18th century, near the small church of San Cristoforo, which was demolished in 1858 and all traces of it were lost. An ancient rest stop (the "Mutatio ad Aquilam," a toponym perhaps derived from the inn's sign) must have stood here, but its remains have not been documented. In 1980, archival and field research resumed, uncovering an unexpected archaeological treasure. A prestigious Roman-era complex, a villa with floor mosaics, a nymphaeum, porticoes, guest rooms, a triclinium...on which an early Christian basilica and a necropolis were built. The original church gradually expanded and became a parish church with a baptistery. It continued in use until the late Middle Ages, then fell into oblivion, so much so that its location is no longer known. Part of the structures can be visited via a covered walkway, with indications of the ancient structures and those superimposed on them. Some structures have been identified and covered, awaiting their inclusion in a museum. The artifacts discovered during excavation are displayed in the small Antiquarium (admission €3. The ticket entitles a discount on the price of other museums in Pesaro). Free parking nearby, and the museum staff is very kind.
The archaeological area deserves greater care, given its importance. In the courtyard behind the Antiquarium, that is, towards the Strada Statale, is the current parish church of "Sacra Famiglia" al Colombarone and the decaying former church of S. Cristoforo al Colombarone (undergoing or awaiting restoration) dating back to the 19th century."

Mari Ube

"The archaeological area features an interesting stratification of sites: a late-antique Roman villa, of which the stone floors and wall structures are visible, an early Christian basilica built by transforming the rooms of the previous villa, and a medieval parish church with numerous burials.
There is a small antiquarium containing the finds unearthed during the excavations, particularly fragments of stained glass from the early Christian basilica."

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