Dolphin Mosaic
Back to Fishbourne Palace
Sussex
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The palace was begun ca. 73 AD and consisted of four large wings with colonnaded fronts,
forming a square around a formal garden. The north and east wings consisted of suites of
rooms built around courtyards, with a monumental entrance in the middle of the east wing.
In the north-east corner was an aisled assembly hall. The west wing contained state rooms,
a large ceremonial reception room, and a gallery. The south wing contained the owner's
private apartments. The palace also included as many as 50 mosaic floors, under-floor
central heating and an integral bathhouse.
A modern museum has been built, incorporating most of the visible remains including the
north wing of the palace. The gardens have been re-planted using authentic plants from the
Roman period.
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