New excavations at Villa San Marco in Stabia reveal well-preserved Fourth Style frescoes
Excavations at Villa San Marco in ancient Stabia, close to Pompeii, have revealed important remnants of a Roman luxury villa that was entombed by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Initiated in March 2023, the project involves collaboration between the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, Scuola Superiore Meridionale, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', and IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, under the direction of Professors Maria Luisa Catoni, Carlo Rescigno, and Gabriel Zuchtriegel. Covering more than 11,000 square meters, the villa showcases remarkably preserved Fourth Style wall paintings and golden statues. Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano remarked that these findings enrich the cultural heritage of the Stabia-Oplonti-Herculaneum-Pompeii region, with intentions to enhance visitor services and public accessibility.
Key facts
- Excavations at Villa San Marco in Stabia began in March 2023 and are ongoing.
- The villa was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
- The dig is a collaboration between the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, Scuola Superiore Meridionale, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', and IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca.
- Directors are Maria Luisa Catoni, Carlo Rescigno, and Gabriel Zuchtriegel.
- The villa complex covers over 11,000 square meters in Varano.
- Well-preserved Fourth Style frescoes were found on the portico.
- The frescoes depict carpets, candelabra, fantastic scenes, false architectures, figures, and mythical scenes.
- The villa was previously excavated in the Bourbon era and restored by Libero D'Orsi in the 1950s-60s.
- Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano commented on the discoveries.
- Plans include expanding the 'Libero d'Orsi' Museum and creating a training center at the Reggia di Quisisana.
Entities
Artists
- Libero D'Orsi
Institutions
- Parco Archeologico di Pompei
- Scuola Superiore Meridionale
- Università della Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli'
- Scuola IMT Alti Studi di Lucca
- Ministero della Cultura
Locations
- Stabia
- Pompei
- Varano
- Reggia di Quisisana
- Grotta San Biagio
- Oplonti
- Ercolano
- Vesuvio
- Italia