Remains of Vitruvius' Basilica found in dig at Fano

'We've been waiting for this discovery for 2,000 years' says mayor

Remains of Vitruvius ' Basilica found in dig at Fano

Italian officials announced on Monday that archaeologists have identified the remains of Vitruvius’ Basilica during excavations in the city of Fano, in the Marche region.

The basilica was built at Fanum Fortunae and completed in 19 BC. It is the only structure known to have been designed by the Roman architect Vitruvius, as he explicitly referenced it in his writings. Over the centuries, the building disappeared, and its exact location had long remained unknown.

Vitruvius’ De architectura is the only surviving architectural treatise from antiquity and is widely regarded as the earliest work of architectural theory.

“For more than 2,000 years, we have been waiting for this discovery,” said Fano Mayor Luca Serfilippi while presenting the findings at a conference attended virtually by Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli. “We have found the Basilica of Vitruvius. I am proud of the work that has been done.”