Ancient Roman villa at risk due AVE High Speed Train in Barcelona

A UNIQUE Roman villa dating back 17 centuries is threatened by the AVE High Speed Train in Barcelona.

Archaeologists and residents in La Sagrera are protesting in support of the only Roman villa found in Barcelona which was uncovered a month ago and could end up as little more than a reconstructed mosaic in a museum if plans for the AVE go ahead.

Some 1,000 metres of walls and paving have been found of a villa believed to have been a villa dedicated to farming, with an area for the noble residents from the ancient Barcino.

A mosaic has been found, which will be conserved and part of which has already been removed, but locals want the findings to remain in their original site. There were many villas around Barcino but most were covered by the district of Sant Andreu and La Meridiana.

Experts believe an in depth study should be carried out, but Barcelona City Hall claims the site has no value and has given the go-ahead for it to be taken to pieces. The opposition will propose that it be kept in its original location with the AVE tracks being completed on either side of it.

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