After the founding of the Roman colony of Aquileia in 181 BC, much of what is now Istria also came under Roman control, with settlements covering much of the peninsula's coastline. The remains of one such settlement is a villa and port complex located on San Simon Bay, just west of Izola Marina. More than a century of excavations and archeological research led to the park being designated as a cultural monument of national importance in 1999. The site originally covered an area of four hectares, with the centrepiece being a large Roman residential villa featuring extensive living quarters and floors paved with black and white mosaics. This was connected via a portico to a small harbour, which now lies under the sea. Guided tours can be arranged on request, and the site is open for individual visitors in the summertime. Contact the tourist information centre for more info.