Liedena
A large Roman villa SB of Pamplona, near Sangüesa. It occupies an elevated site on the right bank of the Irati opposite the impressive Foz de Lumbier, and covers an area 168 by 76 m. There were two major phases and several reconstructions.
The original villa, of uncertain date, covers an area 112 by 48 m; only the hypocaust system and the baths on the E side are visible. In the 4th c. (pre-Constantine), it was completely rebuilt: The villa was enlarged, a peristyle was built with paved galleries and geometric mosaics, a cistern (27 x 5.5 m) of unknown purpose was added, and the position of the hypocaust was changed to the W. Later two wings were added towards the S with ca. 50 rooms. It is basically a villa rustica devoted to the cultivation of vines and olive trees at the N limit of these crops. In the early period it was of military importance since it was on the access road towards the grain-growing areas of Sangilesa and the Cinco Villas and might have had troops stationed there. Finds are in the Pamplona Museum.
BIBLIOGRAPHYB. Taracena & L. Vazquez de Parga, “Excavaciones de la villa de Liddena,” Excavaciones en Navarra II, 1947-1951 (1956) 43-107I; M. A. Mezquiriz, “Ceramica de Liédena,” ibid. 107ff; id., “Mosaicos de Liddena,” ibid. 189ff.
J. MALUQUER DE MOTES