Vitruvius's Basilica Found in Fano After 2,000-Year Search

Workers repaving Piazza Andrea Costa in Fano, Italy, have uncovered the bases of massive Roman columns matching Vitruvius's description of his basilica, ending a search dating back to the 16th century. The columns, about 147–150 cm in diameter and 15 meters tall, are clad externally in sandstone blocks and internally in cement conglomerate. Their layout, orientation, and proportions align with the treatise De Architectura, where Vitruvius explicitly described the basilica he designed and built in Fano. Previous attempts, including a 2023 excavation that revealed five rooms with marble decorations, had failed to confirm the location. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli called the discovery exceptional for archaeology, architecture, and the city's morphology. The Centro di Studi Vitruviani described it as historic news putting Fano in the global spotlight. Further PNRR-funded excavations will explore deeper layers to understand how circular structures and Roman walls intersect with later constructions. Superintendent Andrea Pessina stated the identification provides a decisive key to interpreting other known remains, such as the building under Sant'Agostino, marking the start of a more ambitious research phase.