Domvs RomanaAbout Domvs Romana
Domvs Romana is a Roman-period house and archaeological site located at the edge of Mdina/Rabat on Malta. It contains well-preserved mosaic floors and Roman-era finds from roughly the imperial period.
The site includes several mosaic pavements and excavated rooms forming a compact display, together with an adjacent museum where finds are exhibited. It is one of Malta’s most significant on-site Roman remains and is frequently included on visits to Mdina and Rabat.
Excavations exposed the townhouse remains and associated artefacts that date to Roman occupation of the island. The site has been conserved and arranged for public viewing with protective coverings over sensitive mosaics.
Domvs Romana sits immediately outside Mdina’s walls in Rabat, a short walk from the fortified city. It is easy to reach on foot from Mdina’s main gates and from nearby parking and bus stops in Rabat.
- Visitor tip: Good lighting and close-up access make the mosaic floors the main highlight; the site is compact so visits typically take 30-60 minutes.
What to See#
- Roman House: A Roman townhouse with preserved mosaic floors and archaeological remains that were uncovered during excavations in the 20th century.
- Museum: A small onsite museum that displays Roman-era artefacts recovered from the site, including pottery, sculpture fragments and household items.
Nearby Attractions to Domvs Romana
Best Time to Visit Domvs Romana
Spring and autumn are comfortable times to visit; the site is an indoor archaeological complex so it can be visited year-round subject to opening hours.
Weather & Climate near Domvs Romana
Domvs Romana's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 9°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (547 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 9° - 15° | 12° | 89 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 4.4 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.9h |
| February | Very Good | 9° - 15° | 12° | 60 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.4 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.8h |
| March | Very Good | 10° - 17° | 13° | 39 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.2 m/s | 1.0 high | 11.8h |
| April | Excellent | 11° - 19° | 15° | 24 mm | some cloud | 83% | 4.1 m/s | 1.5 high | 13.0h |
| May | Ideal | 15° - 23° | 19° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 82% | 3.8 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.9h |
| June | Ideal | 18° - 27° | 23° | 2 mm | clear | 80% | 3.5 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 14.4h |
| July | Ideal | 21° - 30° | 25° | 0 mm | clear | 77% | 3.2 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 14.1h |
| August | Ideal | 22° - 31° | 26° | 6 mm | clear | 75% | 3.2 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 13.3h |
| September | Ideal | 20° - 28° | 24° | 46 mm | mostly sunny | 75% | 3.4 m/s | 1.5 high | 12.3h |
| October | Excellent | 17° - 24° | 21° | 82 mm | some cloud | 76% | 3.3 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.2h |
| November | Very Good | 13° - 20° | 17° | 86 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 3.4 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.2h |
| December | Good | 11° - 17° | 14° | 103 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 4.3 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
How to Get to Domvs Romana
Mdina is accessible from Valletta (about 20-30 minutes by car). Local buses also run to Mdina; the Domvs Romana is a short walk from the city’s main gate in Mdina.
Tips for Visiting Domvs Romana
- Visit Mdina at dusk to see the city's lights and quieter streets - the Domvs Romana's mosaics hold up well in late daylight.
- Check opening hours with Heritage Malta; guided tours occasionally require reservations.
- Look for the Roman mosaic floors and the small domestic artefacts that suggest how Roman households in Malta were arranged.