WORK was due to start today (Monday) on replacing the roof of the building covering Newport Roman Villa.
The new roof is designed to improve environmental conditions, reducing moisture levels which have contributed to the build-up of algae on the mosaics, according to the Isle of Wight Council.
The council is joint funding the project with English Heritage, which has grant-aided more than £40,000 towards the work.
The villa, at Cypress Road, will be closed while the work is undertaken but is expected to re-open on Thursday, May 14.
The remains of the Roman farmhouse, built in 280 AD, were discovered in 1926 and were given to the council in 1961. The villa has a bath range with mosaic floors, hot baths and a an under-floor hypocaust heating system.
Isle of Wight Council deputy leader George Brown said: "The Isle of Wight has a rich heritage and it is very important we preserve our historic sites and tourism attractions.
"Newport Roman Villa regularly has more than 5,000 visitors each year and more than 1,400 school children take part in educational visits. These works will ensure residents and visitors are able to enjoy this fascinating window into the past for many years to come."