Ancient Clifftop Villa Unearthed in Southern Italy

The Discovery

A three-year project to build a child's playground and recreation area south of the Italian city of Naples has unearthed the ruins of an ancient clifftop villa. Originally built in the first century, the panoramic mansion overlooks the islands of Ischia and Procida and is partly flooded by the sea. Experts believe it could have once been the opulent residence of Pliny the Elder, the legendary author, naturalist, and commander of the Roman navy fleet stationed there.

The house, which could have belonged to Pliny the Elder, would have been used not only as a lookout point but for hosting parties and entertaining.

The discovery, made in the coastal town of Bacoli, unearthed the thick perimeter stone walls of 10 large rooms with floors, tiled walls, and a maze of intact panoramic outdoor terraces. The mansion would have been located within the Roman port at Misenum, where a fleet of 70 ships controlled the Tyrrhenian Sea. The house, which could have belonged to Pliny the Elder, would have been used not only as a lookout point but for hosting parties and entertaining.

According to Simona Formola, lead archaeologist at Naples' art heritage, the villa likely had a 360-degree view of the gulf of Naples for strategic military purposes. Deeper layers could reveal more rooms and even frescoes, potentially leading to precious findings.

Elaborate Structure and Underwater Phenomenon

Authorities were surprised by the elaborate style of the walls, constructed with diamond-shaped tufa blocks placed in a net-like ornamental pattern about 70 centimeters below ground. The villa runs down to a crumbling stone dock now located about four meters below sea level, a result of the phenomenon of 'negative bradyseism,' the gradual descent of the earth's surface into the sea due to volcanic activity.

Archaeologists were surprised by the elaborate structure of the walls, which are made from limestone blocks called "tufa."

The area borders a moon-shaped 'caldera' or extinct volcanic crater, and digs will continue in the coming months to shed further light on the beach villa and the broader life and structure of Misenum, one of the most important colonies in the Roman Empire.

Historical Significance and Future Plans

The beach villa, believed to have been used for leisure and hosting lavish parties, is located within the 'Phlegraean Fields,' known for natural geysers and tiny active craters. It's possible that Pliny the Elder witnessed the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 from the villa, and local lore had long speculated on the existence of an underground treasure in the area.

The site will become an open-air museum, set to open in the coming weeks. The ruins of the Roman villa will be cleaned and cordoned-off with wooden fences, offering citizens and visitors the chance to admire this beautiful space.