The visitor approaches the villa from the east, the same direction taken by the main road from the port to the palace in antiquity. The monumental entrance complex was on the axis of this street. (…) The entrance complex is of special interest: it incorporates several architectural ideas deriving from different traditions, both Greek and Italian. Through a large gate once flanked by columns, the visitor enters into a large vestibule provided with benches. This room is 22.5 m. long and 5.20 m. wide with semicircular apses at both ends. The floor is decorated with a mosaic made up of simple geometric patterns. The walls had been plastered with a white lime plaster. Three entrances lead from this vestibule into the palace; the centre one is the main public entry into the atrium. The side entrances led to the household and dwelling areas. The main entry to the atrium was further accentuated by the presence of niches on either side. One would expect decorative statuary to have been placed there.