In some cases they were at the centre of a large agricultural estate, sometimes called a latifundium.
The adjective rustica was used only to distinguish it from a much rarer sub-urban resort villa, or otium villa built for purely leisure and luxury, and typically located in the Bay of Naples.
The villa rustica would thus serve both as a residence of the landowner and his family (and servants) and also as a farm management centre.
It would often comprise separate buildings to accommodate farm labourers and sheds and barns for animals and crops.
Baden-Württemberg Bavaria Hesse Northrhine-Westphalia Rheinland-Palatine Saarland Aargau Basel-Landschaft Genf Jura Solothurn Waadt Zürich