A villa is a type of residence that originated as an ancient Roman upper-class country house designed to provide an escape from urban life. Over time, the function and definition of the villa have evolved significantly. Following the fall of the Roman Republic, these structures transitioned into small farming compounds that were sometimes fortified in Late Antiquity or repurposed by the Church as monasteries.
During the Middle Ages, villas re-evolved into elegant country homes for the upper class. By the early modern period, the term was often applied to any comfortable detached house with a garden located near a city or town. In contemporary usage, a villa can refer to various residential types, including suburban semi-detached double villas or large residences in rural areas, particularly in Mediterranean countries.