Hirzberg, Roman estate, with Roman mosaic floors in protective structures

The Roman villa on the Hirzberg in Zofingen is one of the few places in Switzerland where ancient floor mosaics still lie where they were laid nearly two thousand years ago. The site in the canton of Aargau preserves the remains of a Roman farming estate (villa rustica) and two neoclassical shelter buildings erected over its best-preserved floors.

What is this place?

The estate sits on a wooded hill above the town, reached along Hirschparkweg. Locals call the spot Römerbad, a nod to the bathing rooms where the mosaics survived. The ruins came to light in the 1820s, and further excavations followed in 1949 and 1958. The main residential building measured roughly 106 by 33 metres, which gives a sense of the estate's size. The mosaics are dated to about 150–175 AD, and the site was abandoned around 350 AD.

What will you see?

The highlights are two small pavilions built in 1830–1831. They were designed to shield the floors from the weather while keeping them on view. With their columned porches they look like miniature Roman temples. The town approached the Swiss Artists' Society for designs, and several architects submitted proposals.

Inside, you can look at floors laid out in geometric patterns, including a chequerboard, rhombuses and trapezoids, combined with plant motifs. Some of the mosaics are polychrome. It is also an early example of an attempt to protect a monument and keep it open to visitors at the same time.

Why does it matter?

The site has had federal protection since 1938 and cantonal protection since 1949, and it is ranked as being of national significance. Finds from the excavations went to the Vindonissa Museum in Brugg and to a museum in Zofingen, so a visit pairs well with a look at those collections.

How do you get there, and when should you go?

Zofingen lies in northern Switzerland on the railway line between Olten and Lucerne. From the town centre you can walk up through the park and woods, following signs towards Hirschparkweg. The pavilions are an outdoor monument, so a daytime visit in fair weather, from spring to autumn, works best. For opening hours of the interiors and any guided visits, check the town of Zofingen and the Aargau cantonal archaeology service.

Frequently asked questions

Are the Zofingen mosaics original?

Yes. They remain in their original position, in the former bathing rooms of the villa, and the pavilions were built over them in 1830.

How old are the mosaics?

They date to roughly 150–175 AD, when the Roman estate was flourishing.

Where can I see finds from the villa?

Objects from the digs are held by the Vindonissa Museum in Brugg and by a museum in Zofingen.

Is there an entrance fee?

The sources consulted give no fees or opening times. Confirm current details with the town of Zofingen or the Aargau cantonal archaeology service before you go.