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Image Credit: Comune di Fano / Ministero della Cultura
Vitruvius Legendary Basilica Identified in the Heart of Fano
Archaeologists in Fano, Italy, have confirmed that architectural remains uncovered in the city center belong to the basilica designed by the Roman architect Vitruvius, built in 19 BC. The identification marks a major milestone, as it represents the only known surviving building directly attributed to the author of De Architectura, the foundational treatise of Western architectural theory.
The discovery was announced following preventive excavations linked to urban redevelopment in Andrea Costa Square. Stratigraphic investigations revealed foundations and column bases that match Vitruvius’ own description of the basilica: a rectangular hall surrounded by a peristyle, with eight columns along the long sides and four along the short sides. The final confirmation came with the discovery of a key corner column, allowing archaeologists to determine the building’s precise position and orientation.
Measurements taken on site show that the columns reached about 15 meters in height and were built with a structural system designed to support an upper level. Specialists report that the archaeological layout corresponds with centimeter-level accuracy to the plan described in Book V of De Architectura.
Earlier excavations in nearby streets had already indicated the presence of a monumental public district, with marble pavements and massive walls. The new findings now definitively resolve a long-standing historical question regarding the location of Vitruvius’ basilica.
Further excavation and conservation work is planned, with the aim of preserving and presenting the remains to the public. The discovery not only reshapes the archaeological map of Fano, but also provides a rare, tangible link to the origins of classical architectural theory and the intellectual heritage of the Roman world.
Published on: 19-01-2026
Edited by: Abdulmnam Samakie
Source: LBV Magazine