Italy uncovers only building designed by architecture's father
Italian authorities announced on Monday the unearthing of a public edifice over 2,000 years old, attributed to the ancient Roman architect and engineer Vitruvius, widely regarded as the father of architecture. This revelation concludes a centuries-long quest to locate the sole structure the legendary figure claimed to have personally designed and overseen.
Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli hailed it as a sensational find during a press conference, one that future generations will still discuss. Archaeologists discovered the remains in Fano, a central Italian city northeast of Rome, while redeveloping Piazza Andrea Costa.
The structure matches precisely the descriptions in Vitruvius's fifth book of "De architectura," the oldest surviving treatise on architecture. Fano's mayor, Luca Serfilippi, called it the discovery of the century, noting that scholars have sought this basilica for over 500 years.
Regional archaeology superintendent Andrea Pessina told reporters of an absolute correspondence between the unearthed remains and Vitruvius's accounts. The rectangular basilica featured eight columns along its longer sides and four on the shorter ones. When excavators found traces of four columns, they applied Vitruvius's measurements to predict the corner column's position and unearthed it immediately. Pessina emphasized the rare precision in archaeology.
Vitruvius, active in the first century B.C., authored the foundational text of Western architecture. His principles on classical proportions inspired figures like Leonardo da Vinci, whose famous human figure drawing bears his name. In his treatise, Vitruvius singled out Fano's basilica as his own project, praising its supreme dignity and beauty, aligned with the Roman forum's center and Jupiter's temple.
The search gained momentum in 2023 after construction revealed Roman walls and marble pavements. Current digs, funded by Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan, provided definitive proof.
Officials plan further excavations to explore underground sections and assess public access potential. At least one million euros in funding is needed to continue and safeguard the fragile site. Fano now eyes UNESCO World Heritage status, with hopes the discovery will boost regional culture and tourism.
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