In 1988 and again in 2006 excavations got underway of the main building of a villa in Vandoeuvres, below and next to the protestant church.
View of the excavations. Photo: Genequand 2009, Fig. 1.The villa was built in the middle of the first century, and measured 41 x 13.50 m. Along the facade of the main building was a porticus. Modifications took place in the early second century. Tower-like projections flanking the porticus were erected. In the north-west part were a few bathing rooms. The villa thus reached its maximum extension of 50 x 25 m. Hundreds of fragments of paintings were found. In front of the building a basin with an apse was added.
Plan of the villa in the middle of the first century (left) and in the early second century (right). Genequand 2009, Figs. 2-3.
Fragment of a painting with a bird. Photo: MAH, Genève.Further modifications have been assigned to the third and fourth century, when the building was twice damaged by a fire. It was then partially abandoned. In the fourth century a small building was added behind the main building, a pagan or Christian shrine. In the fifth century a first church was built, including a baptisterium. It was dedicated to St. James until the Reformation of 1536.
Literature
Terrier 1991; Terrier-Haldimann-Wiblé 1993; Terrier 2002; Broillet-Ramjoué 2009; Genequand 2009.
[25-Nov-2023]
