Between the 4th and 5th centuries, the villa's imposing surviving structures were included in the fortifications that enclosed the Sirmione peninsula and burials were built inside the remains of the Roman building, used as a cemetery.

In 1939, the National Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage started an extensive excavations and restorations program; it acquired the entire area in 1948 to guarantee adequate protection of the complex and its natural environment.

During the 1990s, further studies confirmed that the construction was carried out through a unitary project, which defined the orientation and distribution of the internal spaces according to a precise axiality and symmetry criterion.

The residential parts of the building were in the north and south areas, while the central region, made up today of the grande oliveto, was occupied by a garden.

On the southern side, under an opus spicatum floor, there is a large cistern almost forty-three meters long, which collected the water necessary for daily use.

The extensive thermal sector of the villa, consisting of several rooms located in the south-western area, including a swimming pool, was probably obtained at the beginning of the 2nd century.

On the northern side of the ruins can be found l'Aula dei tre pilastri ("The three-pillar hall"), il lungo corridoio ("The long corridor"), la trifora del paradiso ("The trifora of heaven"), il grande pilone ("The big pylon"), la grotta del cavallo ("The horse cave") and l'aula dei giganti ("The hall of giants").