The hills of Verzegnis have been inhabited since very ancient times. Attracted by the beauty of the place, the first settlers found the position strategic, as it was located at the confluence of the But stream and the Tagliamento river.
In a position overlooking the confluence, and thus facing the valleys where the two watercourses flow, the Celts had already created a settlement on the Mazeit hill, near the place where nowadays the village of Villa stands.
Ongoing excavations have unearthed the settlement, which has usually occurred, was turned into a Roman garrison for the defence of the Roman road Via Julia Augusta, and finally a medieval castle.
Excavation campaigns are conducted by archaeologist Gloria Vannacci Lunazzi, who lives in Villa, right at the foot of Mazeit Hill.
